Wrestling with Judgment

This fall, Clemson football coach, Dabo Swinney, was facing an extremely tough decision.  His senior starting quarterback, Kelly Bryant, was playing well and owned a career 16-2 record as a starter.  Bryant was the back-up quarterback his freshmen and sophomore seasons to the magnificent DeShaun Watson.  Complicating matters was the arrival of true freshmen Trevor Lawrence.  The number one high school quarterback in the nation, Lawrence has the look of an elite NFL player: 6’6 with incredible arm talent and the swagger to match.  To start the season, Bryant was the starter but the freshmen Lawrence was getting significant game repetitions.

After the fourth game of the season, a 49-21 drumming of Georgia Tech, Coach Swinney announced they were making a switch at the quarterback position: Lawrence was named the starter.  A visibly shaken Swinney spoke with incredible vulnerability at the Monday press conference.

“It’s a bad day to be the head coach. Because I love Kelly.  It was emotional.  Emotional for him.  Tough day.  Because he’s played well and there’s not a guy that’s been, as long as I’ve been here, more committed to this program as Kelly Bryant.  There’s not a better leader.  The guy’s the epitome of what you want.  He’s what you want your son to be like.  I love him like a son.  So, it was a very difficult conversation and he’s very disappointed.”

Can you imagine being Coach Swinney?  Please don’t think in terms of a fan; instead, consider this from the human side.  Bryant has been in your organization for years, he accepted a glamour less position (backup quarterback), delivered strong results when given an opportunity (16-2), he’s a hard worker, great leader, and you love him like a son.  However, your judgement says the green first-year player is better for the job.  What do you do?

Rumbling with Judgement:

“I’m glad God ain’t a coach.  As a coach, you have to be critical.  Rank people. It’s hard man.  I’m thankful God ain’t that way.”  Dabo Swinney

I’m writing this article for any coach, manager, leader who rumbles with the idea of being judgmental.  Every leader I’ve met has struggled at points in their career with who to promote, who to play, what grade to give, how to distribute bonuses—the list goes on and on.

To make matters worse, the more elite the organization the tougher the decisions.  Think about the razor’s edge line that separates the competitor at a football program like Clemson.  It is no different than high-end talent in corporate America; almost every person within the organization is smart and hardworking.

If we accept the responsibility of leadership, difficult decisions accompany the position.  It’s a major part of sitting in the “Big Seat.”  Former Chairman and CEO of Intel, Andrew S. Grove, states in his timeless book, High Output Management, “We managers are required by the organization that employees us to make a judgment regarding a fellow worker and then deliver that judgement to him face-to-face.”

While there is no easy way to make difficult decisions there are some ways to help deal with the process.  First, I thought I would list a few ways leaders CANNOT make a decision.

What the Decision CANNOT BE ABOUT:

1. Liking or Not Liking: the decision can never be personal. In coaching, while you may have different relationships with kids, you care about all your players.  The degree to which your personality connects or doesn’t connect can never dictate your decision.
2. Potential with no results: There will always be players and employees with all the smarts and skills but they are not producing. At some point it has to be about results and not potential.
3. Hard Work: hard work is a loose term. First, in most high functioning organizations hard work is common.   Second, someone can think they are working hard and they are either really not or they can be working on the wrong thing.  Regardless, hard work alone is not reason enough to promote or play someone.
4. Age or Seniority: Seniority alone isn’t enough. Sure, the experience should help, but it doesn’t guarantee you a bigger role.  As legendary Cal Rugby coach, Jack Miller says, “all that matters is who can ball. Right here in this moment.”
5. Comfort or what’s safe: “A decision like that could cost me my job.” Playing it safe and small should never be the reason for making a decision. If I’m going down, I’m going down with what I believe is right, not comfortable.

Three ways to Assist with Decision Making

1. Clarity is King: Front loading the goals, objectives, measurable information and expectations are critical. Great leaders avoid being vague; instead, they are relentless with communicating both the goals of the organization and the expectations for the individual.  This can and should be accomplished in multiple ways but well planned one-on-one meetings is a powerful way to articulate the position of the organization.
2. Discuss Results: If a strong job was performed articulating the goals, then discussing the results sans emotions is much easier. For example, discussing measureable date: speed, strength, on-base- percentage, and strike out rate are factual figures.  Sure, numbers can be debated but, for the most part, arguing numbers sounds a lot like excuse making.  Clear, accurate data helps make sound decisions.
3. Using your professional judgment. This is where it gets tough for many.  One year we had a freshman who hit .180 in the fall.  He didn’t deliver the results.  However, every coach felt he was one of our best players.  I made the decision to start him based on mine and our staff’s professional judgment.  Numbers will tell a part of the story, but the human element will always be there.  A leader isn’t paid to simply analyze the numbers.  They are paid to make the decision that is best for the organization.

To Parents:

Sure, there are people in coaching positions that shouldn’t be.  However, the vast majority of coaches are good people who care deeply about the kids in their programs.  Their position requires them to be “judgmental.”  It’s tough.  They have to do what they believe is best.  Very rarely is it personal.  Coaches have different ways to assist them in making sound decisions.  For me, I am obsessed with making sure our players know there are no favorites.  I keep my head down around parents the majority of times- it can look “standoffish.” I know my weaknesses.  I just can’t allow parents feelings to affect my judgement.  Your child’s coach may have her own method that doesn’t make sense to you.  It’s ok.  Just understand they are human and trying to do what’s best.  That’s it.

Final Thought:

Over the years, I have agonized over the idea of being judgmental.  There have been several times I have come home and asked my wife, “Am I still a good person?”  I don’t like the part of the job that requires me to rank and critically evaluate.  Like Coach Swinney said, those are the times when it stinks being a leader.

I want to say thank you to all the leaders wrestling with judgement.  When times get tough, and they certainly will, remember that it’s not you it’s the position you hold.  If you were to step down tomorrow, you would not alleviate the struggle it would just be passed on to someone else.  Stay in the mud.  Stick with it.  Wrestle with the decision and do what you believe is right.  The world needs caring and thoughtful leaders.  Critics rarely know what it’s like to be in the arena.  Not all feedback is created equal.  You are not alone.   I’ll keep doing my very best if you’ll do the same.

Make it a great week.

Mike