As I was driving home recently, I was wondering what to blog about. There is the obvious: EEG just made its first office move. I was going with that, until my favorite, local, sports station talked about the New York Jets ripping Tim Tebow apart. That’s right-they were trash talking their own player.
Interesting. I researched this (www.nfl.com, www.nesn.com) and here is the skinny:
New York Daily News article has several, anonymous Jets players who say that Tebow is “terrible, not a real quarterback” amongst other negative commentary. It’s no secret their current quarterback, Mark Sanchez is having an awful season-but why rip Tebow?
Why Is this Fascinating?
It’s tied to so many aspects of engagement and leadership. Since this is a blog and not a novel I have decided to comment on the following: The team is not performing and there is dissent amongst the team. Unfortunately players decided to take this public. At the least, some players should be able to discipline themselves not to trash talk their own teammates. The players are to blame.
Coach Rex Ryan isn’t doing himself many favors, especially with his recent crying session in the locker room (didn’t someone tell him “There’s no crying in baseball” applies to other sports). He can’t control his team and is unable to create a culture of accountability. The Coach is to blame.
It is the quarter back’s fault, Mark Sanchez. He has only completed 52% of his passes, thrown for only 10 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. (as of 11/12). When I hear about Sanchez, it is negative, or has to deal with his brief relationship with Eva Longoria. That is actually impressive.
There is plenty of blame to go around, but they need:
- Strong Leadership that fosters a culture of accountability
- A common belief and vision that they are in it together
- “Rules of the Tavern”: Understood, mutual guidelines and principles to live by-no matter what as team members
- An understanding of team development, different stages (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing) and the skills to know how to move through each stage
- Wins-they need a burst of success-easier said than done, but we all know a win is like a pure shot of motivation, and drive
If the Jets would like to have a presentation on Ernest Shackleton and leadership lessons to live, by, call me. I am available!
Steph Mello, VP, Everything
