Leadership Lesson #23: How To Motivate and Lead to Go From Bottom to the Top
September 18, 2011 
8 Comments
It’s now 24 hours since the West Coast Eagles played a cliff hanger game to beat Carlton by 3 points and scrape into the Preliminary Finals against Geelong next week..
Joining the Tribe
For anyone who saw the game live or on TV, it really was one of the great games of the year if not the decade.
The Eagles were 4 goals down in the first quarter.
They clawed their way back to lead most of the game.
They led by 21 points at the 22nd minute of the last quarter.
Then Carlton came back at them.
In the end, if Carlton had kicked just one more straight kick they would have won.
Both teams had injuries.
Both teams ran themselves ragged.
The crowd were going ballistic.
The last quarter went for a marathon 36 minutes..
Then.. the final siren.. The Eagles by 3 points..
SO WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH YOU?
I was just looking through The West Australian Newspapers ‘Faces in the Crowd’ competition on their website.
Looking at all the people in their Eagles uniforms, scarves, hats, beanies, buttons etc..(Not unlike my darling wife and myself in the photo attached).
And realised that as a species, we humans love to feel part of something great, something moving forward, part of a community we feel proud of belonging to..
As humans we want to feel we are part of something that is good, that is worthy, that stands for something positive, constructive, healthy, vital and even powerful.
Whether you’re a member of Carlton Football Club, Geelong, West Coast, Arsenal, Manly, Perth Glory, the Catholic Church, or the local darts club, there is something healthy and uplifting about being part of a group striving to improve, make a difference, stand for something.
BUSINESS AND ENGAGEMENT
Richard Branson understands the power of standing for something and inviting his people to join the mission.
Steve Jobs also understood the power of engaging people in a mission to deliver something newer, better, more powerful, more beneficial than anything ever done before.
Anita Roddick with the Body Shop did the same.
She didn’t just run a retail store. She wanted to use her stores to change the world.
As we move toward the finals and the business end of the AFL season, not only are the top 4 teams preparing for battle in the Prelim and Grand Finals, there is movement everywhere with new coaches being appointed, players being given their retirement orders and new players being recruited to new teams.
I heard Carlton Coach Brett Ratton say in a post match interview ‘that will be the last time this group of players play together. Some of the player list won’t be there next year…’
and here is the important part..
‘….because if you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards…’
IF YOU’RE NOT MOVING FORWARDS, YOU’RE MOVING BACKWARDS
If you’re not changing people, systems, strategies, knowledge, technology, ideas, leadership, coaching, marketing… you’re surely moving backwards..
The world changes every day.
Your competition changes every day.
The internet and technology is changing every day. (Just today I bought and downloaded 3 new apps for my Ipad that I didnt even know existed yesterday..)
Last week I took delivery of 5 new pieces of coaching technology I didn’t know existed 40 days ago.
I got the printer to print off 2 new products I am trialling with clients this week.
I might be 54 years of age but I have no intention of going backwards..
WORSFOLD’S SECRETS REVEALED HERE IN ONE LIST
I love seeing the Eagles keep moving forwards and I love digging that bit deeper into the newspapers and media reports to find out what is THE DIFFERENCE THAT IS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE..
Here is a quick list of just some of my findings
1. 2-3 years ago Coach John Worsfold goes overseas to study the Science of Leadership at the famed INSEAD business school in France
2. Brings in new assistant coaches Neil Daniher and Scott Burns to the coaching team
3. Brings in his brother to mentor and counsel players at the personal level
4. Develops a Leadership and Mentoring programme so each of his players are mentored by leading business people and leaders within the community
5. Sets a goal of taking the statistic for worst team in the league for losing the ball outside their 50 metre zone and turn it into their strength
6. Does intensive tackling training in the preseason so West Coast go from one of the worst tackling to best tackling sides
There is probably way more in what he has done to take the team from bottom of ladder ‘wooden spooners’ to the Preliminary Final, but the above list is a pretty good start.
“If you’re not going backwards you’re going forwards…’
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TURN YOUR WEAKNESSESS INTO STRENGTHS?
What new blood, new thinking, new strategies do you need to bring in for next season?
What Negotiables do you need to turn into NON NEGOTIABLES?
I have to go to bed right now to get some beauty sleep..
But these are questions you might like to ponder..
If you have some feedback or ideas feel free to leave some comments..
As a Leader, your job is to Lead… Transform.. Make a difference..
Engagement…. Belonging.. Empowerment.. Mentoring.. Turning Weaknesses to Strengths and Strengths to Super Strengths.
Looking for the Differences that will make the Difference..
Hope this helps
See you next week..
Come On the Eagles!!!
Leigh, I’m not an ARL follower, but was mesmerised with the game. Sometime after the game i saw an interview with the coach John Worsfold wher he was asked (and I’m paraphrasing here) ‘What does he ask his players to do to play so well in the game? His response is worth finding and recording. He says he doesn’t say anything, that every player has agreements with all the other players and they all support each other and make sure each player is fulfilling the commitment they make to their fellow players. Absolutely priceless – a team’s leader who empowers the players to commit to their own performance objectives and everyone on the team keeps everyone accountable.
May the Eagles soar all the way for you buddy.
Cheers,
Paul
Paul
Great listening for those ‘differences that are making the difference..’
Worsfold studied under 4 time Premiership Coach David Parkin.
Parkin was one of the first to introduce the idea of ‘Leadership at all levels’ and Empowerment of Players to manage and hold each other accountable.
Worsfold has now proven himself to be a worthy student. To the point where now the student is becoming a Master.
Thanks for that great insight.
Geelong have proven the power of Empowered Leadership.
If you check out the Chris Scott interview on my latest blog (Grand Final 2011) you’ll hear him say how he ‘got out of the players way’ and let them lead themselves.
Lao Tzu – ‘when the best leaders work is done the people will say we did it ourselves…’
All the best to you
Keep me posted on your progress
Leigh
Hey Leigh, what apps did you buy for your iPad?
Josh
There are a few there..
Keynote
SpeakerNotes
Pages
Entrepreneur, Fortune, StartUp, Time and Fortune Magazines
BBC News, Channel Seven News, SMH, The Age, ABC, Herald Sun
Dropbox
TuneIn Radio
CineXPlayer
ABC Food
ABC Iview
TripAdviser
MindJet, iDesk
InFlowChart
Maybe I went a little overboard..
Hope this helps
regards
Leigh
Thanks Leigh, good insights.
We’re surrounded by change. How we act and react Is – as always – still up to us. Being open to new ideas is important, but so too is always looking to improve on what is already working.
Too many people look for the shiny new idea that will revolutionize their life,team or business when continual small improvements (or large ones) can be the more easily achievable key.
And yes, new tools emerge every day. The challenge is in knowing which ones to use – and how to use them best.
Says he tapping this onto his iPad after having read your thoughts in the Flipboard app for iPad which I downloaded for free on Saturday. well worth the cost.
Cheers
Richard
Thanks Richard
Even though we live in the age of the Ipad and Youtube, the game of providing useful, empowering information, inspiration and ideas has not changed.
I was just looking back over some of the articles I wrote for you and Business Directions way back in the early and mid 90′s.
The dates may have changed but the concepts are the same.
Perturbation – Blair Singers article is just as relevant today.. Teams coming together under pressure.
Feedback is Feedforward.
Setting and Communicating Standards and Expectations — all just as relevant today..
Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
PS: I need to learn how to use some of those new Apps now.. At 54, life still reminds us we have to stay green and stay outside the comfort zones..
The WCE have done extremely well to turn their club around in 12 months. It takes support from all areas of the business to make these things occur and their strong leadership is apparent to all.
Good coaching, a talented list and the better form of some of their experienced players has all combined to acheive this turnaround.
IF YOU’RE NOT MOVING FORWARDS, YOU’RE MOVING BACKWARDS
Love it and will use this.
Thanks Dale
Keep me posted on your progress at WA Water Polo..
From the Strategic Planning session there are now some key goals and key projects to work on to keep moving forwards.
Possibility Thinking — What do we want? and How do we Get it? is the way forward rather than ‘what is the problem? who do we blame? and how do we justify our lack of progress?
I can see you are a Possibility Thinker and Doer…
All the best
Leigh