Last week, reporters were grilling Joe Maddon, the newly-hired manager of the Chicago Cubs, and his answers gave some direct insight to leadership. Maddon is considered a managerial genius for his sterling turnaround of baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
His answers to sportswriter questions were laced with brilliance for any leader. Here are 6 of the most profound jewels. If you’re a business leader, department head, team manager, coach, school teacher, or parent... listen up.
First, he was asked why he would accept the Cubs job when the team had not won a World Series since 1908 (107 years!), and in recent times, the front office had hired several other star-studded managers to be ‘savior’, and each failed to bear fruit. Why, then, under so much pressure to produce, and with such a long history of losing, would he risk tarnishing his stellar career by taking THIS job?
His answer – “The challenge is so outstanding, how could you NOT want to be here?” He added: The time is different, conditions are different, the players are different. Everything’s different.
His point: Who care about the past? This is now, not then. I can’t guarantee success, but I’m not going to run from pressure and pass up a chance to be great.
He was asked - what was the single-most important factor in his decision to accept the position. He said above all else, it was alignment with team leadership… the president and general manager of the club. He shared that the 3 had a casual conversation in his RV that locked it up for him. He was convinced they had matching philosophies on managing, winning, and baseball. Unless the goal is aligned with your desires, your family goals, anything you do will not work. No amount of money can make people work as hard as a dream and goal.
Third, when another reporter asked about dealing with pressure, he looked him in the eye and said, twice: “Don’t ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure of the game” … words printed atop his lineup card every day, so he never forgets to enjoy.
Fourth, despite past team failures, he said he’ll be talking playoffs and World Series from day one. I don’t deserve to be here unless I do -- that’s what we’re all here for.
Fifth, he said his style of management is to instruct players to play the same game regardless of the date on the calendar. In other words, giving 100% effort every day -- not just when you are getting near a goal and the tension builds and all is at stake.
And last, when hired to manage his former Tampa team and inspire players to launch out of last place, he created the “9 = 8” slogan, that meant 9 players playing 9 innings together can become one of 8 teams in the playoff hunt. And they did. Year after year after year.
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Here is a brief summation of Maddon’s 6 points:
(1) Never let past failures or a difficult challenge derail today’s confidence or tomorrow’s goals.
(2) Alignment among leaders is critical to winning.
(3) Enjoy the journey, despite the degree of difficulty.
(4) Think ‘I/we will succeed’ all day, every day, right from the start of any endeavor.
(5) Put forth your 100% best effort every day -- never give yourself permission to slack.
(6) Don’t be afraid to create catchy slogans and put them everywhere team members will see them -- on desktops, t-shirts, around your office or home.
If I were in your moccasins, I’d emblazon some of these words on my wall in 48-pt. Tahoma Bold (I already have)… and read them every day.
And if you’re looking around for a role model to pattern yourself after, maybe Maddon ought to make your short list.
Your Business, your team, your family, your success… all depend on it.
His answers to sportswriter questions were laced with brilliance for any leader. Here are 6 of the most profound jewels. If you’re a business leader, department head, team manager, coach, school teacher, or parent... listen up.
First, he was asked why he would accept the Cubs job when the team had not won a World Series since 1908 (107 years!), and in recent times, the front office had hired several other star-studded managers to be ‘savior’, and each failed to bear fruit. Why, then, under so much pressure to produce, and with such a long history of losing, would he risk tarnishing his stellar career by taking THIS job?
His answer – “The challenge is so outstanding, how could you NOT want to be here?” He added: The time is different, conditions are different, the players are different. Everything’s different.
His point: Who care about the past? This is now, not then. I can’t guarantee success, but I’m not going to run from pressure and pass up a chance to be great.
He was asked - what was the single-most important factor in his decision to accept the position. He said above all else, it was alignment with team leadership… the president and general manager of the club. He shared that the 3 had a casual conversation in his RV that locked it up for him. He was convinced they had matching philosophies on managing, winning, and baseball. Unless the goal is aligned with your desires, your family goals, anything you do will not work. No amount of money can make people work as hard as a dream and goal.
Third, when another reporter asked about dealing with pressure, he looked him in the eye and said, twice: “Don’t ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure of the game” … words printed atop his lineup card every day, so he never forgets to enjoy.
Fourth, despite past team failures, he said he’ll be talking playoffs and World Series from day one. I don’t deserve to be here unless I do -- that’s what we’re all here for.
Fifth, he said his style of management is to instruct players to play the same game regardless of the date on the calendar. In other words, giving 100% effort every day -- not just when you are getting near a goal and the tension builds and all is at stake.
And last, when hired to manage his former Tampa team and inspire players to launch out of last place, he created the “9 = 8” slogan, that meant 9 players playing 9 innings together can become one of 8 teams in the playoff hunt. And they did. Year after year after year.
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Here is a brief summation of Maddon’s 6 points:
(1) Never let past failures or a difficult challenge derail today’s confidence or tomorrow’s goals.
(2) Alignment among leaders is critical to winning.
(3) Enjoy the journey, despite the degree of difficulty.
(4) Think ‘I/we will succeed’ all day, every day, right from the start of any endeavor.
(5) Put forth your 100% best effort every day -- never give yourself permission to slack.
(6) Don’t be afraid to create catchy slogans and put them everywhere team members will see them -- on desktops, t-shirts, around your office or home.
If I were in your moccasins, I’d emblazon some of these words on my wall in 48-pt. Tahoma Bold (I already have)… and read them every day.
And if you’re looking around for a role model to pattern yourself after, maybe Maddon ought to make your short list.
Your Business, your team, your family, your success… all depend on it.