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?
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