I spent the last week on vacation. The time away gave me a lot of time to read and listen to some of my favorite podcasts. As expected, I found a goldmine of leadership content.
One of the books I just completed was Bill Pennington’s incredible Chumps to Champs: How the Worst Teams in Yankees History Led to the ’90s Dynasty. What I found interesting about this period in Yankees history was how the two-year suspension of George Steinbrenner allowed the team to build its minor league system and develop its future superstars. Because of his impatience to “win now”, Steinbrenner always traded away its young talent for aging stars. When Steinbrenner came back, the organization had to neutralize and work around him so he would not trade young players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. The Yankees dynasty came close to never happening on many occasions.
One of the many great quotes from the book was from Bill Livesey. Livesey, a former Yankee executive and head of scouting, said of pitcher Brien Taylor, “Sometimes unfulfilled potential might be the greatest burden.” Taylor was the former top pick in the MLB draft and appeared headed for stardom. However, his career ended abruptly with a devastating shoulder injury incurred during a physical altercation with a family friend.
The following are 16 Additional Things Leaders Were Talking About The Week Of May 13th:
The following is a tweet I made about Mike Linch’s recent interview with the brilliant Dan Reiland. Dan points out the speed of our devices is breaking down our ability to listen and be in the moment. Mike pondered out loud, “At what speed is this whole thing going to break down where all relationships are lost. There’s no depth built anymore.”
This month’s Linch With A Leader life podcast interview with @mikelinch & @DanReiland is fabulous! 2 of my favorite people. Dan’s thoughts on the impact of relationships “at the speed of our devices” is ABSOLUTE GOLD!!! Click https://t.co/QVwfU8vZz3 to listen.
— Brian Dodd (@BrianKDodd) May 17, 2019
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Lombardi quoted Jeff Van Gundy who said, “Never take criticism from somebody you wouldn’t take advice from.”
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The Crosby Effect – Lombardi discussed The Crosby Effect from David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame. He said, “Your talent is in your second album.” This means you are an overnight success but in reality, it took 10 years to put together your first album. You now only have six months to produce your second album. This is what shows your true talent. Lombardi asked the questions, “How do you modify? How do you change?”
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Great Success Requires Great Durability – Often a leader’s greatest ability is their availability. Lombardi said, “You cannot be great if you don’t have durability.”
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Great Leaders Surround Themselves With Other Great Leaders – Quoting Bill Parcells, Lombardi said, “If you’re coaching clowns pretty soon you’ll be running the circus.”
USA Today – May 13, 2019
- Good Parents Do Not Outsource Parenting Responsibilities – There is a growing trend of outsourcing some aspects of parenting that are just too difficult, like potty-training, or do not fit into the lifestyles of certain parents. Elizabeth Siegel, a partner in a visual marketing company, said, “I love working with an expert, and I didn’t have the time. My husband and I both work. I’m an expert in basically what I’m paid to do, which is my profession. Why shouldn’t I go to someone who understands?” Look me get this straight, you did not have time to teach your child basic hygiene? Here is another thought, why do you not want to become an expert at parenting?
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Great Success Requires Great Consistency – Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said of the Golden State Warriors, “With them, you cannot make a mental mistake, not for a second.”
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Great Success Requires Great Talent And Skill – Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, “These guys are a historically good basketball team. You don’t do this, you don’t do what these guys have done without an incredible combination of talent and character.” Rockets superstar James Haden added, “We’re not losing to scrubs.”
USA Today – May 14, 2019. I applied these three lessons to pastors and church leaders in the post 5 Qualities Pastors Should Want In Their Church Staffs.
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Great Leaders Are Often Lonely Leaders – “Big Bang Theory” co-creator Chuck Lorre on why the show connected, said, “Remarkably, we came along at a time when the audience wanted to see a show about characters that were outliers… these were people who weren’t fitting in. And that sense of estrangement is something I think people identified with. You don’t have to be a prodigy to feel left out.”
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Great Organizations Are Made Up Of Great Leaders. Therefore, If You Want To Get Better, Hire Better Leaders. – Lorre on why the show was so popular for so long, said, “It begins with the remarkable cast. Each one of these characters as played by the actors is so endearing and remarkable and specific in their own way.”
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Great Leaders Remove Drama. They Do Not Create It. – Lorre on what stood out most about the show, said, “For 12 years, there was no drama. It was people coming to work every day, having a good time and looking out for each other. It was wonderful.”
- Great Leaders Are Broken And Humble Leaders – Ryan Leaf said, “I developed this idea that I was a better human being that everybody else because I played a silly sport.”
- Great Teams Have Great Energy. Teams With Great Energy Then Must Have Great Depth. – Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said, “In this atmosphere and environment, it takes a lot of energy and effort to be great defensively. We’re similar offensively – we want to play fast, we want to get out and run and move. All of those things do require an amount of effort and exertion and all these things, so if we can have more people to throw at the process, more people to throw at our opponent and keep us in a good place, it’s an advantage hopefully we can use for …however many games we have.”
- Successful Leaders Must Make Hard Decisions – 2-time French Open champion Maria Sharapova on pulling out of this year’s event, “Sometimes the right decisions aren’t always the easiest decisions.”
- Great Leaders Have Overcome Great Obstacles. Because So, They Are Also Inspirational And Always Point To A Brighter Tomorrow. – Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin, who has experienced unimaginable family hardships and tragedy, said, “That’s why I want to inspire somebody who ever had family issues. You can fulfill a dream even when things aren’t going your way. I am living proof of that.”
The Herd With Colin Cowherd Podcast – May 18, 2019
- Great Leaders, Great Organizations And Great Teams Require A Financial Resources Strategy – Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said, “Money makes stars.”
What is one thing from the list above you can implement this week to become a better leader?
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