It is an interesting thing about success.  Two different people can look at the same leader.  One thinks the leader has underachieved.  Another thinks he is at or near the top of his profession.  This is the plight of the St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.  Can you relate?

Because the team has recently come up short in the post-season, some have questioned Matheny’s in-game strategy.  However, those who know him, those within the Cardinals organization, know the type of leader they have.

In the October 12th edition of Sports Illustrated, writer Jack Dickey profiled Matheny.  After reading his article, the leadership skills of Matheny are undeniable.  In fact, all leaders looking for success can learn much from the Cardinals manager.

The following are 8 Practices Of Highly Successful Leaders I gleaned from Dickey’s article:

  1. Highly Successful Leaders Do Not Seek The Spotlight.  They Place It On Others – Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said, “His preference is a lower profile (rather) than a higher profile.”
  2. Highly Successful Leaders Produce Superior Results – You cannot argue with facts.  At the end of the 2016 season, Matheny had a .579 winning percentage, the highest among active managers and 13th all-time.
  3. Highly Successful Leaders Show Respect To Others – Matheny appears fond of veterans.  He appreciates those who have paid the price for success.
  4. Highly Successful Leaders Are At The Best During Chaotic Times – They bring peace and security during times of calamity.  Mozeliak says, “That’s where Mike’s at his strongest points, in times of distress.”
  5. Highly Successful Leaders Get The Best Out Of Their Teams – Former manager Tony La Russa says, “To be really good you have to be solid decision-maker.  If your team doesn’t play with effort, though, you’re a total failure.”
  6. Highly Successful Leaders Believe In Others – First baseman Brandon Moss said, “I couldn’t have been in a worse slump.  He was there, telling me he was in my corner, showing he had belief in me.”
  7. People Want To Work For Highly Successful Leaders – Moss continued, “Every day you look forward to coming to the field to play for him because he’s such a good guy.”
  8. Highly Successful Leaders Inspire Loyalty – As a player, Matheny won three Gold Gloves as a Cardinals catcher.  La Russa said as a player, “He had that sort of strategic mind – and he inspired that kind of loyalty.”

Put The Spotlight On Others, Produce Superior Results, Show Respect, Lead Well During Chaos, Get The Best Out Of People, Believe In Them, Be Someone Others Want to Work For, and Inspire Loyalty.  Practice these 8 qualities and you may one day become a Highly Successful Leader.

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