It is rare in sports that the punishment fits or exceeds the crime. Today, the NFL made a statement that bounty hunting will not be tolerated. The head coach of the New Orleans Saints was suspended without pay for the 2012 season. His defensive coordinator, Greg Williams, has been banished indefinitely. Others involved have been suspended for 8 games including the Saints general manager.
Several weeks ago, I stated that leaders have to make hard choices and sometimes set an example. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did both today. I can't imagine any team condoning bounty hunting in the future. The risks are too high. There may be other teams guilty, but I doubt it will happen (formally) going forward. This punishment is unprecedented and will work. The players and coaches may not be happy but he has stood up for what is right and supports the values and rules of the league.
In the coming days, Goodell may get a lot of slack and may have a lawsuit come his way. He has proven to be a tough and fair leader in the nearly six years he's been in office. That's all anyone can ask for-consistency. Great leaders share this characteristic. Though they may deal with people differently, everyone knows what they stand for and how they will react to situations. You may not like the message, but know the message is the same for all.
Think about your leadership style. Are you consistent in your daily interactions? Are you consistently fair? Does your organization know what you stand for? Great leaders answer yes to all three questions. Are you a great leader?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Bubble Busters
Ah, the NCAA tourney kicks off tonight with some play-in games. It's hard to beat the first two days of the tournament. Buzzer beaters, upsets, Cinderella stories. The first two days have it all. If ever you need to have a wisdom tooth removed, do it the morning of the first day of the tournament. You have wall-to-wall basketball the rest of the weekend. I did it once and would have a tooth extracted just to have the experience again!
Of course, last weekend brought us Selection Sunday. This is where all the teams were announced and seeded. Like every other year, there are teams left out of the tournament that feel they should have made it. In our area, the Drexel Dragons were in that camp. They finished 27-6 and are relegated to the NIT. This is college basketball's consolation tournament. The problem with Drexel is they had a couple of conference losses that they should have won and their strength of schedule was suspect compared to other teams that made it. One more key win would have done it for them.
How many times do we see this in our organizations? Losing a bid, missing a sale, coming short in a promotion. In most cases it would have taken a little more effort, one more call, or more dedication to a project. Every day we are playing in our own tournaments-constantly being reviewed, analyzed, hopefully seeded or left out. Just as Drexel wishes they had won another game, many of us wish we had another opportunity to do something over.
The problem is that we don't always take responsibility for the loss or missed opportunity. We blame in on circumstance, others or bad luck. I don't know who said it, but the harder you work, the luckier you get, is a great quote. As leaders we need to remind our teams that doing a little extra goes a long way in being successful. Think about the consequences up front, confront your weaknesses and make them strengths, make the extra call and follow up on the open item. It's not easy being successful. The alternative is that you're on the outside looking in.
Of course, last weekend brought us Selection Sunday. This is where all the teams were announced and seeded. Like every other year, there are teams left out of the tournament that feel they should have made it. In our area, the Drexel Dragons were in that camp. They finished 27-6 and are relegated to the NIT. This is college basketball's consolation tournament. The problem with Drexel is they had a couple of conference losses that they should have won and their strength of schedule was suspect compared to other teams that made it. One more key win would have done it for them.
How many times do we see this in our organizations? Losing a bid, missing a sale, coming short in a promotion. In most cases it would have taken a little more effort, one more call, or more dedication to a project. Every day we are playing in our own tournaments-constantly being reviewed, analyzed, hopefully seeded or left out. Just as Drexel wishes they had won another game, many of us wish we had another opportunity to do something over.
The problem is that we don't always take responsibility for the loss or missed opportunity. We blame in on circumstance, others or bad luck. I don't know who said it, but the harder you work, the luckier you get, is a great quote. As leaders we need to remind our teams that doing a little extra goes a long way in being successful. Think about the consequences up front, confront your weaknesses and make them strengths, make the extra call and follow up on the open item. It's not easy being successful. The alternative is that you're on the outside looking in.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Results Matter
As baseball's spring training begins, I find myself conflicted. The weather is turning warmer, the players have begun their exhibition games and hope runs eternal for all teams. I have one problem-I don't care. I don't remember a season where I haven't had a sense of excitement at the start of spring training. In Philadelphia, we have a good team, great players and coaches, a beautiful stadium and fun announcers. It doesn't matter, I just can't get into it.
Here's the problem. I watched or listened to at least 150 of the 162 games last year-probably more. I watched the Phillies win 102 games and only lose 60. They tore through the league with ease on the backs of their pitching staff. They stumbled a bit in September but came out of it before the playoffs. Then, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Champion, St. Louis Cardinals. The regular season didn't matter. All that time investing in the team went down the drain in less than a week. To make matters worse, our best hitter was at the plate and made the last out for the second year in a row.
We have all worked with people in our organizations that follow a process but don't get results. They make their calls, they track their time, the fill out the project management paperwork but they can't seem to get results. In essence, they aren't productive because they're not moving the organization forward. So it is with the Phillies. Since 2008, when they won the World Series, they have gotten further and further away from their goals. Good organizations don't let that happen. Processes should be put into place that assist the organization, not hinder it.
As leaders, we need to make sure we are putting the emphasis on results and not only the process. Make sure your processes yield the results you're looking for so you continue to move forward, not stagnate in place.
Here's the problem. I watched or listened to at least 150 of the 162 games last year-probably more. I watched the Phillies win 102 games and only lose 60. They tore through the league with ease on the backs of their pitching staff. They stumbled a bit in September but came out of it before the playoffs. Then, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Champion, St. Louis Cardinals. The regular season didn't matter. All that time investing in the team went down the drain in less than a week. To make matters worse, our best hitter was at the plate and made the last out for the second year in a row.
We have all worked with people in our organizations that follow a process but don't get results. They make their calls, they track their time, the fill out the project management paperwork but they can't seem to get results. In essence, they aren't productive because they're not moving the organization forward. So it is with the Phillies. Since 2008, when they won the World Series, they have gotten further and further away from their goals. Good organizations don't let that happen. Processes should be put into place that assist the organization, not hinder it.
As leaders, we need to make sure we are putting the emphasis on results and not only the process. Make sure your processes yield the results you're looking for so you continue to move forward, not stagnate in place.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Headhunters
Like many of you, I was shocked (not) when I heard that ex-New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, Greg Williams, had a bounty on opposing players. In other words, he paid bonuses to his players for knocking them out of the game and even more if they left on a stretcher. If you get the star players out of the game, it significantly improves your chances of winning. There will much grinding and gnashing of teeth over the next few weeks on how to punish Mr. Williams (now with the St. Louis Rams). In my mind, the only question is how many other teams will get caught up in Bounty-gate.
It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. Well, players are getting hurt, some intentionally. Perhaps we should dismiss this as "boys will be boys." After all, it's a physical game. If you're not tough enough and can't watch out for yourself, then don't play. I don't consider myself a wuss, perhaps others do, but this doesn't make sense to me. Let's apply this to the business world. Sexual harassment would be tolerated, the three martini lunch would still be in vogue, and women would still be in the secretarial pool. The world is better for these changes-much better. So will the NFL if it strikes a hard stance on the offenders. Sometimes an example should be made and this seems like a good time.
Every now and then leaders need to step up for what's right, not what is accepted. Through the years, leaders like Ford, Walton, Watson and others strive to follow the golden rule rather than society's. They have made their companies better and made some money along the way. The bounty hunt described above clearly isn't allowed, but it has been accepted. It's not what you say, but what you do. Let your conscience be your guide and the organization will gladly follow.
It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. Well, players are getting hurt, some intentionally. Perhaps we should dismiss this as "boys will be boys." After all, it's a physical game. If you're not tough enough and can't watch out for yourself, then don't play. I don't consider myself a wuss, perhaps others do, but this doesn't make sense to me. Let's apply this to the business world. Sexual harassment would be tolerated, the three martini lunch would still be in vogue, and women would still be in the secretarial pool. The world is better for these changes-much better. So will the NFL if it strikes a hard stance on the offenders. Sometimes an example should be made and this seems like a good time.
Every now and then leaders need to step up for what's right, not what is accepted. Through the years, leaders like Ford, Walton, Watson and others strive to follow the golden rule rather than society's. They have made their companies better and made some money along the way. The bounty hunt described above clearly isn't allowed, but it has been accepted. It's not what you say, but what you do. Let your conscience be your guide and the organization will gladly follow.
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