The Dog Days

Everyone says that July and August are the dog days.  Sure, in most parts of the country it's hot and the heat is oppressive.  As bad as the combination of heat and humidity can be in Philadelphia, I look at February as the dog days of the sports world.  The hype for the Super Bowl is bad, but it's nothing compared to the Pro Bowl.  That is unwatchable.  Baseball won't be meaningful for at least two months.  Hockey is OK, but I've not invested time in knowing the players.  Pro basketball is hideous and golf means nothing until the Masters.  College basketball won't heat up until March.  What's a person to do?

Like it or not, much of our free time is spent watching or discussing our local sports teams.  Now, there is no buzz, no excitement or no energy around any of the teams.  A good scandal will last for a couple of weeks-but that gets tedious too.

As leaders we need to guard against this same issue.  In all long term projects, there's a point where energy wanes and motivation is limited.  It seems that teams and individuals are plodding the same worn plans day in and day out.  My friends at Catholic Leadership Institute taught me that to maximize performance, you need to continually improve your skills but also be energized about your work.  Leaders need to help teams stay fresh and understand that both energy and ability need attention.

Pitchers and catchers will report soon.  That may be enough to get me through February.  What will it take for you and your teams?