Earlier this week I wrote the post How To Lead Leaders. It was inspired by Pete Carroll’s philosophy on coaching his coaches. The response to this post was overwhelming. So much so, I decided to add a Part 2 on how best to lead leaders.
In Tom Verducci’s classic book The Cubs Way, he chronicles the team’s owner Tom Ricketts’s acquisition of Theo Epstein to head all baseball operations, the subsequent construction of the team, and manager Joe Maddon’s leadership style which he calls his 13 Core Principles Of Managing.
As you read Maddon’s list of principles, you will see applications to your leadership responsibilities as well:
- Make A Personal Connection First. Everything Else Follows. – The greatest responsibility of a leader is to create a positive environment that promotes growth and success. Your team gets to know you. Then you trust you. Then you can openly exchange ideas. Only then, after connection, trust, and the exchanging of ideas, can you effectively discuss methodology and ideologies.
- There Is Only One Team Rule – Respect 90 – If a player respects the 90 feet between the bases by running hard all the time, good things flow from this attitude.
- Freedom Is Empowering – Rules inhibit freedom. Rules inhibit creativity. Don’t have too many rules.
- Never Hold A Team Meeting In Your Own Clubhouse – Maddon feels 99% of meetings are unnecessary. The more meetings you have means you are pretty bad.
- Do Not Have A Fine System – Nothing breaks down trust and morale like messing with someone’s money.
- Whatever You Think Makes You Look Hot, Wear It – This obviously speaks to building up their self-image and confidence. Confident players perform better than non-confident ones.
- Empower Your Coaches – When someone shows up to work, they need to feel they can make an impact.
- Don’t Allow Coaches Or Veterans To Be Harsh On Young Players – As a leader, you’ve got to coach your coaches and not permit them to carry a message that is not your message.
- Question Data With Feel – There is a healthy tension and balance between art and science, between data and gameday strategy. Sometimes as a leader you have to go with your gut and instincts.
- Pregame Work Is Excessive – Save your best energy for the game itself.
- Keep Signs Simple And To A Minimum – Do not have paralysis of analysis. Simplicity frees up top talent to be creative, innovative, fast-thinking, and able to react quickly.
- A Lineup Card Is About All A Manager Needs In A Dugout – Maddon prefers working with paper rather than iPads while the game is going on. Why? It is all about speed and efficiency. Paper is faster than a tablet. In the moment, you need paper.
- Forget “The Book.” Making A First Or Third Out At Third Base Is Okay. – Going by “The Book” encourages passivity.
So what are the results of Maddon’s often counter-intuitive leadership style? As chronicled in Verducci’s definitive work, the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. Drop the mic!!! Epstein and Maddon know how to lead leaders!
What is one thing you learned from the list above which will help you better lead leaders?
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