Today, Mudville is Philadelphia. The mighty Casey (Ryan Howard) struck out to end the game and season for the Phillies. For whatever reason, I thought of the Ernest Thayer poem, Casey at the Bat. You may recall in the poem, it didn't seem possible that Casey would get an at bat. But just like the Mudville 9 in the poem, two were on and two were out. The season ended with Ryan Howard watching strike three on a 3-2 count. It was a perfect pitch by the Giants closer, Brian Wilson.
Though tempted to blame-we can't. It's a team game. The fact the Phillies lost the series can't be pinned on one at bat, one pitch or one error. In a seven game series, a team has plenty of opportunities. It's what they do with those opportunities that determines if they keep playing or go home. Ask the Reds, Braves, Twins, Rays, and Yankees. In essence, the Giants played better as a team than the Phillies. They picked each other up and did what they needed to do to win.
How does your team work? Is it a group of individuals out to do the best for themselves or is it a team that supports, cajoles, backs up and looks at each victory as one for the team? In business, the latter is hard to develop unless its supported at the top. It's the same in baseball. What makes the Giants story stand out is that many came to the team after the season started. Their manager put the pieces together well and utilized all their talents to win games. Isn't that what a leader should do?
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, we will survive. The last stanza of the poem says it best:
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Philadelphia - mighty Ryan has struck out.
I hope Mr. Thayer appreciates the artistic license. Go Rangers!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Darkness To Light
Is there a better story than the rescue of the 33 miners in Chile? Through an international effort and many prayers, each one was brought back up safely months before the original projection date of Christmas. A great effort. It never got old seeing one miner after another coming up and being greeted by family members. A lot of heroism to go around with this experience!
In sports as in business-there are many situations where a person's performance has been impacted by an accident, situation or their own doing. As I thought about the miners, I thought of some sports stars that have seen the bottom, and have or appear to be making their way of out of the darkness.
Bobby Cox - he just retired after 32 years in the dugout or general manager's office. He was named Manager of the Year four times and won over 2,500 games. Last week, he managed his last game as he retired from the sport at 69. It was impressive that the Giants stopped their celebration on the field to tip their hat to Cox as he left the dugout. But not all was peaches and cream for Cox. In 1995, he was accused of punching his wife and pulling her hair. He completed a violence counseling session(s) and alcohol evaluation and charges were dismissed.
Michael Vick - we all know the story of Michael Vick. In August, 2007 he was convicted of animal cruelty and suspended indefinitely from the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons released him. He was broke and filed for bankruptcy. When he completed serving his time in 2009, he was signed by the Eagles and played sparingly last year. This year, he became the starting quarterback after Kevin Kolb was hurt in the first game. Since then, he himself got hurt and has missed two games. He is scheduled to be the starter when he heals. It appears that Vick is doing everything he can to turn the page. Time will tell on this one, but so far, so good.
Josh Hamilton - he is the center fielder for the Texas Rangers and will probably be the American League Most Valuable Player this year. He hit .359, hit 32 home runs and had 100 runs batted in. All this while missing most of September with an injury. His team is fighting the Yankees for the American League pennant as we speak. Hamilton was the first player drafted in 1999 by the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2001, he started down the long dark road of alcoholism and drug addiction. He has been in and out of rehab many times and didn't play baseball from 2004 to 2006. He has had many mentors and works hard every day to avoid temptation. He did slip in 2009 but has been clean since. His teammates chose to celebrate winning the series against the Rays last week with ginger ale in respect of his addictions. We all hope Josh Hamilton can slay the demons and continue with a successful career and care for his family.
Ron Washington - he is the manager of the Texas Rangers and has been since 2006. This spring, it was reported, and later confirmed by Washington that he had a positive test for cocaine. He admitted his mistake and has moved on to lead his team to the American League championship. His team and Rangers ownership backed him-not an easy thing to do. He is a good man who has been a baseball lifer-coming up with the Royals in 1970. Let's hope this was a one shot deal.
The Rangers have taken chances with Hamilton and Washington. Their support, accountability and high expectations have served them well on and off the field this year. Nolan Ryan is the owner-a great player, man and owner. He is a stand up guy and looks for others to do the same. That means he will look both men in the eye and ask them to be honest. To date, they both have looked at him and responded with honest answers. That's all we can do as leaders. Ask for an honest day's effort, tell the truth and then be supportive. Good luck to all and thank God the miners are free!
In sports as in business-there are many situations where a person's performance has been impacted by an accident, situation or their own doing. As I thought about the miners, I thought of some sports stars that have seen the bottom, and have or appear to be making their way of out of the darkness.
Bobby Cox - he just retired after 32 years in the dugout or general manager's office. He was named Manager of the Year four times and won over 2,500 games. Last week, he managed his last game as he retired from the sport at 69. It was impressive that the Giants stopped their celebration on the field to tip their hat to Cox as he left the dugout. But not all was peaches and cream for Cox. In 1995, he was accused of punching his wife and pulling her hair. He completed a violence counseling session(s) and alcohol evaluation and charges were dismissed.
Michael Vick - we all know the story of Michael Vick. In August, 2007 he was convicted of animal cruelty and suspended indefinitely from the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons released him. He was broke and filed for bankruptcy. When he completed serving his time in 2009, he was signed by the Eagles and played sparingly last year. This year, he became the starting quarterback after Kevin Kolb was hurt in the first game. Since then, he himself got hurt and has missed two games. He is scheduled to be the starter when he heals. It appears that Vick is doing everything he can to turn the page. Time will tell on this one, but so far, so good.
Josh Hamilton - he is the center fielder for the Texas Rangers and will probably be the American League Most Valuable Player this year. He hit .359, hit 32 home runs and had 100 runs batted in. All this while missing most of September with an injury. His team is fighting the Yankees for the American League pennant as we speak. Hamilton was the first player drafted in 1999 by the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2001, he started down the long dark road of alcoholism and drug addiction. He has been in and out of rehab many times and didn't play baseball from 2004 to 2006. He has had many mentors and works hard every day to avoid temptation. He did slip in 2009 but has been clean since. His teammates chose to celebrate winning the series against the Rays last week with ginger ale in respect of his addictions. We all hope Josh Hamilton can slay the demons and continue with a successful career and care for his family.
Ron Washington - he is the manager of the Texas Rangers and has been since 2006. This spring, it was reported, and later confirmed by Washington that he had a positive test for cocaine. He admitted his mistake and has moved on to lead his team to the American League championship. His team and Rangers ownership backed him-not an easy thing to do. He is a good man who has been a baseball lifer-coming up with the Royals in 1970. Let's hope this was a one shot deal.
The Rangers have taken chances with Hamilton and Washington. Their support, accountability and high expectations have served them well on and off the field this year. Nolan Ryan is the owner-a great player, man and owner. He is a stand up guy and looks for others to do the same. That means he will look both men in the eye and ask them to be honest. To date, they both have looked at him and responded with honest answers. That's all we can do as leaders. Ask for an honest day's effort, tell the truth and then be supportive. Good luck to all and thank God the miners are free!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Bad Meat?
This was the post I was supposed to do last week, but a no-hitter got in the way. As many of you know, Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was accused of doping during this year's race. He, like all who have tested positive, was shocked and dismayed. He suggested that he had a bad piece of meat that skewed the results. Time will tell. What is impressive is that the excuses get more creative.
It's hard to believe how many cyclists have tested positively for some sort of drug enhancement. Since 1975, 10 of the 16 winners have tested positive for some type of drug use, though not all during the Tour. Lance Armstrong, winner of 7 consecutive has been accused, but never convicted. What kind of sport is this that you have to dope yourself with performance enhancing drugs to win or even compete? Don't get me wrong, cycling is a wonderful sport for all ages. Every July, the Tour de France takes our breath away with the vistas and great athletes battling against all the French terrain can throw at it. The effort of each athlete is tarnished by an accusation several months later that they tested positive for a drug.
Do we tolerate industries or businesses with this kind of record? Who would want to work in such a place? Think about it-the work is so difficult that you have to drug yourself every day to perform and compete. How long would you last? Who would take you seriously? Because of your association with that industry or business, your reputation would suffer. An endless downward spiral may occur.
At least regulators have job security. But at what point do the checkers out number the competitors? We see this in cycling and in some industries (banking ?) we may be close. The cycling "industry" is in need of real leadership. The problems are many and solutions are few. Perhaps its time to pull the plug on the Tour de France for a few years and find a way to rid the sport of doping and honor those athletes who can do compete without drugs. I guess if I'm Alberto Contador, the lesson is, don't eat the meat in France!
It's hard to believe how many cyclists have tested positively for some sort of drug enhancement. Since 1975, 10 of the 16 winners have tested positive for some type of drug use, though not all during the Tour. Lance Armstrong, winner of 7 consecutive has been accused, but never convicted. What kind of sport is this that you have to dope yourself with performance enhancing drugs to win or even compete? Don't get me wrong, cycling is a wonderful sport for all ages. Every July, the Tour de France takes our breath away with the vistas and great athletes battling against all the French terrain can throw at it. The effort of each athlete is tarnished by an accusation several months later that they tested positive for a drug.
Do we tolerate industries or businesses with this kind of record? Who would want to work in such a place? Think about it-the work is so difficult that you have to drug yourself every day to perform and compete. How long would you last? Who would take you seriously? Because of your association with that industry or business, your reputation would suffer. An endless downward spiral may occur.
At least regulators have job security. But at what point do the checkers out number the competitors? We see this in cycling and in some industries (banking ?) we may be close. The cycling "industry" is in need of real leadership. The problems are many and solutions are few. Perhaps its time to pull the plug on the Tour de France for a few years and find a way to rid the sport of doping and honor those athletes who can do compete without drugs. I guess if I'm Alberto Contador, the lesson is, don't eat the meat in France!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Unbridled Joy
Welcome to Doctober! I just finished watching Roy Halladay pitch a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in his first playoff game of his career. What a masterpiece! He threw 104 pitches, 79 for strikes.
What struck me about his performance was his skill, focus and unbridled joy at winning the game. He has been one of the top pitchers in the majors for many years. He works as hard as anyone relative to conditioning and has even added a pitch to his repertoire this year. As you watched him throw strike after strike, it was clear he was in the zone and focused at getting Reds out. Finally, when Carlos Ruiz threw out Brandon Phillips for the last out-the smile and joy radiated. His teammates mobbed him and they all enjoyed the moment.
There may have been questions about how he would perform in the post-season. Until today, he never pitched past the first weekend in October. I think he answered those questions. He will be a force throughout the playoffs and hopefully the World Series. He had plenty of stamina thanks to his work ethic.
As leaders, we can use Roy Halladay's performance as a teaching and coaching moment. Skill, focus and joy at your job will make you a valuable resource for your organization. Hone your craft and perform it at the highest level each day. Stay focused on the task at hand-don't let outside distractions take your eye off the ball. As important, love what you do and know that you're making a difference every day. Congratulations to Roy Halladay-may this be the first of many post-season wins!
What struck me about his performance was his skill, focus and unbridled joy at winning the game. He has been one of the top pitchers in the majors for many years. He works as hard as anyone relative to conditioning and has even added a pitch to his repertoire this year. As you watched him throw strike after strike, it was clear he was in the zone and focused at getting Reds out. Finally, when Carlos Ruiz threw out Brandon Phillips for the last out-the smile and joy radiated. His teammates mobbed him and they all enjoyed the moment.
There may have been questions about how he would perform in the post-season. Until today, he never pitched past the first weekend in October. I think he answered those questions. He will be a force throughout the playoffs and hopefully the World Series. He had plenty of stamina thanks to his work ethic.
As leaders, we can use Roy Halladay's performance as a teaching and coaching moment. Skill, focus and joy at your job will make you a valuable resource for your organization. Hone your craft and perform it at the highest level each day. Stay focused on the task at hand-don't let outside distractions take your eye off the ball. As important, love what you do and know that you're making a difference every day. Congratulations to Roy Halladay-may this be the first of many post-season wins!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Redemption
Last month, I wrote an entry entitled "Details." In it, I mentioned that golfer Jim Furyk overslept and missed the Pro-Am of the Barclays tournament. By missing the Pro-Am, he forfeited his chance to play in the regular tournament. He was in the running for the FedEx Cup and a prize of $10 million. All looked lost!
Yesterday was a new day and a chance at redemption. In the Tour Championship, Furyk made an incredible shot from the bunker on the 18th hole and tapped in to win. He not only won the tournament and the $1.35 million prize but also won the season long FedEx cup and $10 million. Quite a day for Mr. Furyk.
The moral of the story is two-fold. First, he took responsibility for his actions and blamed no one but himself for missing the Pro-Am. Second, he didn't crawl into the fetal position and cry himself to sleep every night. He continued to play well, practiced hard, and made shots when he needed to yesterday. He is a champion and has worked like a champion.
How many times have you been second guessed, ridiculed for a decision, and organizationally left for dead? More importantly, how many times have you second guessed others. Most organizations have cultures that try to analyze the actions and reactions of others-to the detriment of morale. Those who try and sometimes fail need to be recognized for the effort and given the support to succeed in the longer run. Look for and celebrate dedication. It's not hard to find those wanting to succeed and willing to work in a positive manner to get there. Congratulations to Jim Furyk and the thousands of workers who won't be slowed by setbacks and take responsibility for their actions.
Yesterday was a new day and a chance at redemption. In the Tour Championship, Furyk made an incredible shot from the bunker on the 18th hole and tapped in to win. He not only won the tournament and the $1.35 million prize but also won the season long FedEx cup and $10 million. Quite a day for Mr. Furyk.
The moral of the story is two-fold. First, he took responsibility for his actions and blamed no one but himself for missing the Pro-Am. Second, he didn't crawl into the fetal position and cry himself to sleep every night. He continued to play well, practiced hard, and made shots when he needed to yesterday. He is a champion and has worked like a champion.
How many times have you been second guessed, ridiculed for a decision, and organizationally left for dead? More importantly, how many times have you second guessed others. Most organizations have cultures that try to analyze the actions and reactions of others-to the detriment of morale. Those who try and sometimes fail need to be recognized for the effort and given the support to succeed in the longer run. Look for and celebrate dedication. It's not hard to find those wanting to succeed and willing to work in a positive manner to get there. Congratulations to Jim Furyk and the thousands of workers who won't be slowed by setbacks and take responsibility for their actions.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sins of the Past
As we all know, football has begun at both the college and pro levels. There have been exciting games, great plays and plenty of entertainment for the sports junkie. Last Thursday, the New Orleans Saints kicked off the season with a win over the Vikings. In that game, running back Reggie Bush ran for 14 yards on just two carries. I first became aware of Bush while he was at the University of Southern California (USC). He had an outstanding career, earning the Heisman Trophy in 2005. Based on what I remember, he was deserving of the award, though many could make the case for runner-up Vince Young. He pro career has been pedestrian-at times brilliant, but mostly average. He's a nice fit in the Saints line-up, but is not the superstar his college career may have predicted.
Yesterday, the sins of his past culminated in his returning the Heisman Trophy. Based on an NCAA investigation where USC vacated (lost) its last two wins of the 2004 season and all of the 2005 season, Reggie Bush and his family is accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars of gifts from agents. USC has also been banned from bowl games this year and next and will lose 30 scholarships over three years. USC has taken down his jersey, and generally disassociated itself with Reggie Bush. Rather than waiting for the Heisman Trophy Trust to ask for the trophy back, he returned it. He moves on, collecting his NFL paycheck and the university picks up the pieces and goes into obscurity for a couple of years.
There is no doubt that Reggie Bush is a talented football player. There is also no doubt that he had a disregard for rules and the effect breaking them will have. I'm sure he is embarrassed and even disgraced at having to give up the Heisman Trophy. But he knew he was breaking the rules. Sometimes it takes awhile for life to catch up with us.
Most of us know that real leadership is based on the foundation of self-leadership. This means you are confident, have high self-esteem, and have a vision and goals for yourself. It also means that you have defined core values that you live by. Core values are defined as those which you won't compromise. To be fair, I'm not sure I met this definition of self-leadership in my 20's, but I also knew right from wrong. I have found that defining your core values is the first step in self-leadership. It becomes your rudder-always moving you in the right direction. Life is a learning process. Learn to live by your core values and avoid the public humiliation we saw yesterday inflicted on Reggie Bush.
Yesterday, the sins of his past culminated in his returning the Heisman Trophy. Based on an NCAA investigation where USC vacated (lost) its last two wins of the 2004 season and all of the 2005 season, Reggie Bush and his family is accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars of gifts from agents. USC has also been banned from bowl games this year and next and will lose 30 scholarships over three years. USC has taken down his jersey, and generally disassociated itself with Reggie Bush. Rather than waiting for the Heisman Trophy Trust to ask for the trophy back, he returned it. He moves on, collecting his NFL paycheck and the university picks up the pieces and goes into obscurity for a couple of years.
There is no doubt that Reggie Bush is a talented football player. There is also no doubt that he had a disregard for rules and the effect breaking them will have. I'm sure he is embarrassed and even disgraced at having to give up the Heisman Trophy. But he knew he was breaking the rules. Sometimes it takes awhile for life to catch up with us.
Most of us know that real leadership is based on the foundation of self-leadership. This means you are confident, have high self-esteem, and have a vision and goals for yourself. It also means that you have defined core values that you live by. Core values are defined as those which you won't compromise. To be fair, I'm not sure I met this definition of self-leadership in my 20's, but I also knew right from wrong. I have found that defining your core values is the first step in self-leadership. It becomes your rudder-always moving you in the right direction. Life is a learning process. Learn to live by your core values and avoid the public humiliation we saw yesterday inflicted on Reggie Bush.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
So Many Topics-So Little Time
This is the best week in sports-period. I said the same thing last year and will do so for the rest of my life. Pennant races in baseball, college football, pro football, US Open tennis. A smorgasbord of sports. The hard part is tying it into life. We all have to work, find time for our families, and continue to pursue healthy hobbies. What's a sports fan to do? Did I mention the weather in the Mid-Atlantic is beautiful!
Adding to all these priorities on a personl levelnce is that I can't decide on a worthy topic for this blog. Last week I thought about Nyger Morgan and his style (or lack thereof) play. How about Boise State and their come from behind win? Pride or passion in all sports-there are many examples of each. All of this confusion comes from a constant struggle with priorities, time/life balance, and not wanting to miss any of it.
What is balance? How do you stay focused on the important things? In sports, the great athletes have supreme focus and have the ability to stay that way. How about the rest of us? I'll use myself as an example. I think I'm disciplined but find myself straying from my priorities on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. At the end of the week, I'm in good shape work wise, but have I put the right focus on family and home? Have I gotten the exercise I need to maintain good health? Have I watched every inning of every Phillies game? The answers are probably no, yes, and yes. The fall will only get worse as the baseball playoffs begin, football is on every night and the days continue to get shorter. My wife is a sports fan, but not a fanatic. There will be many nights where I don't get to bed until after midnight and try to get up at 5:15 to work out. Something will have to give (more personal days from work?)
Organizations continually try to ensure their team is focused, results-oriented, and hopefully aware of their personal and professional balance. The reality is that organizations need to keep employees focused on goals and tasks when they are on the job and hope that the postitions they've created are structured to allow for the right balance. The good organizations have a feel and listen to their employees about what can get done in a "normal" work day. Not all organizations are good however. As a leader, stop, look and listen to your teams and make sure the results you need allow for a healthy life balance for your employees. In the long run, this will provide the best results.
Adding to all these priorities on a personl levelnce is that I can't decide on a worthy topic for this blog. Last week I thought about Nyger Morgan and his style (or lack thereof) play. How about Boise State and their come from behind win? Pride or passion in all sports-there are many examples of each. All of this confusion comes from a constant struggle with priorities, time/life balance, and not wanting to miss any of it.
What is balance? How do you stay focused on the important things? In sports, the great athletes have supreme focus and have the ability to stay that way. How about the rest of us? I'll use myself as an example. I think I'm disciplined but find myself straying from my priorities on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. At the end of the week, I'm in good shape work wise, but have I put the right focus on family and home? Have I gotten the exercise I need to maintain good health? Have I watched every inning of every Phillies game? The answers are probably no, yes, and yes. The fall will only get worse as the baseball playoffs begin, football is on every night and the days continue to get shorter. My wife is a sports fan, but not a fanatic. There will be many nights where I don't get to bed until after midnight and try to get up at 5:15 to work out. Something will have to give (more personal days from work?)
Organizations continually try to ensure their team is focused, results-oriented, and hopefully aware of their personal and professional balance. The reality is that organizations need to keep employees focused on goals and tasks when they are on the job and hope that the postitions they've created are structured to allow for the right balance. The good organizations have a feel and listen to their employees about what can get done in a "normal" work day. Not all organizations are good however. As a leader, stop, look and listen to your teams and make sure the results you need allow for a healthy life balance for your employees. In the long run, this will provide the best results.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
