The other parts
I attended a fundraising banquet for our local high school football program and ESPN's Bill Conley told a few stories following dinner.
One of the most useful ones was about Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel preparing his players for the 2002 BCS championship game against Miami.
Tressel ask the players to write down what they could do to help win the game. The catch was that they couldn't write down anything that required physical strength. He wanted non-physical contributions. The best answers are useful for any team:
Effort - Put the effort in. Practice, listen, be there. Make the effort as an integral part of the team. How far can people go when they just put in the effort.
Finish - Be a finisher. Conley told the story of a tough recruiting decision where one player could be selected but three candidates qualified. He watched the tapes of the recruits and noticed one player at the end of a game where the outcome was not in doubt. The opposing team was trying to kick a field goal with seconds to run out the clock and the player blocked the goal. It would not have changed the outcome but it involves finishing the job. That player got the nod and went on to play in the NFL.
Team player - Be a team player. A separate story from one of our clients inspired me: I was in a meeting with the client and they were looking for help in meeting budget-cut requirements. As the client explained to his fellow team members, many departments in the company had small budgets that would do little to help in the budget-cutting process. So, he explained, we need to reach our target and go a bit further to help out our brothers and sisters in those other departments. That is a team player.
Leadership - Leadership is not always the rah-rah-I'm-in-charge kind. The best leadership is in actions the inspire others to act the right way. Conley spoke about OSU linebacker Chris Spielman on and off the field. He explained that Spielman was laid back and quiet off the field. But during preparation and gametime, he was all business - focused and about the mission. His actions inspired other players.
Intellect - Be smart. Spend the time learning the business and using that knowledge. The difference between the amateur and the expert is large. Take the time to be the expert.
One of the most useful ones was about Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel preparing his players for the 2002 BCS championship game against Miami.
Tressel ask the players to write down what they could do to help win the game. The catch was that they couldn't write down anything that required physical strength. He wanted non-physical contributions. The best answers are useful for any team:
Effort - Put the effort in. Practice, listen, be there. Make the effort as an integral part of the team. How far can people go when they just put in the effort.
Finish - Be a finisher. Conley told the story of a tough recruiting decision where one player could be selected but three candidates qualified. He watched the tapes of the recruits and noticed one player at the end of a game where the outcome was not in doubt. The opposing team was trying to kick a field goal with seconds to run out the clock and the player blocked the goal. It would not have changed the outcome but it involves finishing the job. That player got the nod and went on to play in the NFL.
Team player - Be a team player. A separate story from one of our clients inspired me: I was in a meeting with the client and they were looking for help in meeting budget-cut requirements. As the client explained to his fellow team members, many departments in the company had small budgets that would do little to help in the budget-cutting process. So, he explained, we need to reach our target and go a bit further to help out our brothers and sisters in those other departments. That is a team player.
Leadership - Leadership is not always the rah-rah-I'm-in-charge kind. The best leadership is in actions the inspire others to act the right way. Conley spoke about OSU linebacker Chris Spielman on and off the field. He explained that Spielman was laid back and quiet off the field. But during preparation and gametime, he was all business - focused and about the mission. His actions inspired other players.
Intellect - Be smart. Spend the time learning the business and using that knowledge. The difference between the amateur and the expert is large. Take the time to be the expert.
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