Don't Mistake "Big Personality" for Good Leadership
As the 2012 Major League Baseball season comes to a close, the usual letting go of some players and managers is taking place. Most noticeable to me is the firing of Boston Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine and the firing of Ozzie Guillen, the manager of the Miami Marlins.
Both men are in their first year as managers for their respective clubs however, both men have served as managers for other teams in the past. What I find interesting is how both men have the reputation of being “Big Personalities” in the baseball world. In fact, I would go so far as to say that both men were hired as much for their big personality as for their ability to lead a major league ball club effectively.
Unfortunately for both men, their teams under-performed in a big way this year disappointing fans, team members and the front office. It has cost both of them their job and the city of Miami the hope of building momentum for their newly renamed and rebranded ball club.
Which brings me to my Main Observation:
There is a big difference between a “Big Personality”
and good leadership.
and good leadership.
The baseball world is a microcosm of how the world of leadership has changed in the last decade. No longer can a “Big Personality” compensate for poor leadership, especially when you’re called upon to lead the young generation. Every 30 and under high capacity leader I know has a radar for authenticity, vulnerability and approachability. No longer can poor leadership hide behind “Big Personality.” The proof shows up in the results every time.
The challenging takeaway for us as leaders is to examine ourselves.
- Where are we prone to leverage our “Big Personality” instead of doing the hard work of leading well?
- Where are we using our personality instead of facing ourselves and becoming a better leader?
- Where are we hoping our “Big Personality” will cover up poor performance on our part?
The world of leadership is changing both inside and outside the baseball landscape. Wise is the organization and the leader who takes note and acts accordingly.
#AddingValue
Yeah so true. It seemed to be all about Valentine before they even played a game. Gotta love the Mike Scoscia school of coaches – You're welcome for Joe Maddon by the way.
Pastor Matt:
From my prospective “Big Personalities” tend to “Talk the Talk” without the “walking” part. Ozzie Guillen is a primary example.
Past performance in one arena doesn't always lead to great future performance in another arena without a keen sense of self, humility in action, and the ability to build strong,new relationships in the new organization.
Leadership, especially in high profile, media driven entities, sometimes gets caught up in the hipe of the media, failing to leading according to our personal value system and practices.
I had a similar situation when I was hired into my last position. I was a “known” entity by many in the organization based on past successes. I was hired because of my leadership abilities. Therefore, it was incumbant upon me to remain humble, not come in like a hurricane making changes, etc., and build new relationships to build trust and respect; which is a huge challenge in today's multi-cultural demographics.
Leaders have to remember one important fact: “It is not about me! It is about others and the organization we are serving.”
Keep the Quest Alive.
David McCuistion
http://www.vol-training.com
http://www.vanguardldrship.wordpress.com
I see this happening in a lot of places… So glad to see you point it out in such a great way… TY for pouring so much of yourself into others!
Love reading your posts
Becky Orange
Pryor Ok