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.