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The Gift Of Humility

The Gift of Humility

 

Merriam-Webster defines humility as, “freedom from pride or arrogance.  The quality or state of being humble.”

 

The older I get the more I see humility not only as a virtue, but also as a competitive advantage in sports and life.  Elite leaders, coaches, and educators all share this elusive trait.  Sure, you can win and lack humility.  However, the people I admire most, the ones who excel at work and in their personal life, all share the gift of being humble.  Below are ten ways to display and use the gift of humility.

 

  1. Admit shortcomings: We cannot do it all, nor can we be great all the time. It is critical to free ourselves up and acknowledge that there will be times we will underperform.  The transformational coach, Matt Deggs, says it best when he tells his team before every season, “Boys, sometimes you are just going to have to overcome the coaching.”
  2. Listen while others talk: Most people are in a race to demonstrate how much they know (for an example observe the posturing that often takes place on social media). Every interaction is an opportunity to learn.  If we spend the whole time talking, we miss the opportunity to listen and gain valuable insight.
  3. Make time for others: I had the opportunity to take my son to the Pittsburgh Pirate game and be on the field for batting practice. While we were in awe watching Big League hitters effortlessly hit baseballs out of the yard, the most impressive performance was watching the Pirate Skipper, Clint Hurtle, connect with ushers and staff.  “Thank you for all you do for us.”  If he finds time, so can I.
  4. Ask for help: As we get older, and our level of responsibility increases, many of us struggle being vulnerable. We are afraid that by asking for assistance we will look weak.  How silly.  Why waste time faking it?  Humility will save us time and money.  Ask great questions and receive great answers.
  5. Delegate: Once we make the decision to delegate we must fully entrust in that person to do the job. I worked with hitters for 13 years in collegiate baseball prior to last season.  Luckily, I found someone much better than me.  I fired myself from that role and stepped away.  I made the decision that I was no longer in charge and that I would abstain from meddling.  This was easily one of my best professional decisions.
  6. Never be the smartest person in the room: It takes humility to surround yourself with powerful thinkers who will challenge and push. It is much easier to play it safe and always be the expert.  The best leaders actively pursue people who are the best in their field. This humble nature allows them to build elite teams, and we all know a strong team will defeat an individual any day of the week.
  7. Root for your competitors: “Iron sharpens iron.” The best in the world see their competition as sparring partners not adversaries. We are striving together to be great; we cannot do it alone.  It takes a great deal of maturity and confidence to cheer for the competition.
  8. Laugh at yourself: Mistakes are going to happen and we are going to look ridiculous at times. Having a sense of humor gives us the freedom to try and fail. Many people let their egos lead the way.  It is much easier to sit on the side line and point out the shortcomings of others.  I’d rather stumble and laugh then sit out and judge.
  9. Give others the credit: The elite coaches and leaders that I have studied are masters at taking the blame for mistakes and deflecting praise. Coaches, if we want to win the hearts of our players give them credit for the wins and accept responsibility for the losses.  This is really hard to do if we allow our pride to get in the way.
  10. Apologize sincerely: When in a leadership position, we will be charged with making countless numbers of decisions every day. It is impossible to be right all the time.  Saying, “I’m sorry, I resolve to do better in the future” goes a long way.  People typically want to forgive.  We have to possess the humility to acknowledge our wrong doings.

Can we win, hit our numbers, or get a promotion without humility?  Absolutely.  However, that type of achievement is fleeting and hollow.  This week, I am going to make a conscious effort to manage my ego.  I’m going to look for ways to be kind and help others, including my competitors, on their journey.  If we play the long game, not the short game, our humility will be rewarded.

 

Stay Humble,

Mike

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Listen: Identifying Grit in Prospects

Grit: Physical and mental toughness; perseverance; the ability to overcome obstacles.

Today, most people think things should come easy.  The word we often hear is entitlement which Webster’s defines as, “a belief that one is deserving or entitled to certain privileges.”  There is a misconception that success comes easy; that one should not have to struggle, stumble or encounter adversity to be successful.

What a competitive advantage, displaying grit! Being willing to work harder and longer is more critical than ever.  While others mistakenly expect life to gift wrap them success we can take pride in earning our rewards.  There’s no real success without struggle and strife.  So, this week when life throws you a road block; pause and be thankful.  Your grit is being tested and I know you will win!

I don’t know about you, but I actively seek to hire or coach people who have failed and kept on going.  Grit comes in many different forms. I hope you enjoy this 3-minute segment where I discuss identifying grit in prospects.

Make it a great week,

Mike

 

 

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The Best of 2016

Thank you all for a great 2016.  The best parts of writing have been learning and connecting with amazing people like yourself.
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Misconceptions about Success and Greatness

Facts About Coaching Greats:

  • After 6 seasons, Bill Belichick’s head coaching record was 41-55.
  • Cowboy’s coaching legend, Tom Landry, experienced his first winning season in year seven of his career. His winning percentage during that time was .311.
  • John Wooden did not win his first national championship until year 17. He could never win the “Big One.” Ten National Titles later he proved people wrong.
  • Mike Krzyzewski’s record was 111-106 in his first eight years as head coach and 38-47 during his first three seasons at Duke.
  • In 22 years as a Big League skipper Jim Leyland experienced ten losing campaigns.
  • Four-time Super Bowl winning head coach, Chuck Noll, had a 51-60 record in his last eight seasons. His first three years as a head coach he compiled a 12-30 record.

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Misconceptions About Success:
  1. It comes easy: Studying coaching greats, you can see that most, if not all, struggled at some point in their career. If you want to be great, be prepared to fail.
  2. The path is straight: There will be peaks and there will be valleys along the journey. Stay humble when you are on a peak and confident when you are in a rut.
  3. Reaching the summit is the best feeling in the world: Please watch the video below (it is the best TEDx  talk that I have seen) about Alison Levine’s experience conquering Mount Everest. The journey is more memorable than conquering your goal. “Lessons From the Ledge.”
  4. Hard work guarantees success: Somewhere along the line we developed the idea that hard work means you will get the results you want. It doesn’t. There are no guarantees. That is the beauty of it.
  5. There’s no such thing as luck:  Call it want you want, timing or being in the right place at the right time; there is often an element of luck involved. Most highly successful people are humble enough to acknowledge that circumstances, at some level, played a huge part in their success.

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Are You Struggling?
Have you ever been frustrated with your lack of success?  You have a clear goal.  Maybe it is a weight loss goal.  Possibly you’ve dreamed of greater financial success or climbing the corporate ladder. You’ve changed your habits.  In addition, you have worked hard; really hard.  While your friends and colleagues have played, you’ve sacrificed.  You are doing all the right things, BUT, here is the hard pill to swallow….the results have actually gotten worse!

Sports can teach us a lot. The graphs display results of some of the all-time coaching greats.  We are talking the top 1% of coaches in their given sport.  There was adversity in their careers. We have developed misconceptions about success.  We believe that John Wooden never had a player upset with him.  You can guarantee he did (there are stories of disgruntled Wooden players).  We believe that Coach K was able to experience immediate success.  It is not true; in his first eight years he was around a .500 coach.

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My Advice to Myself:
I have a few pieces of advice after studying some of the titans in coaching.  Please understand that the advice is for myself.  Hopefully, my reminders, can assist you as well.

  1. Never compare your journey to someone else- The goal is to experience our best self;  comparing will only lead to arrogance or frustration. Neither are admirable.
  2. Focus on the next 200 feet- Sometimes goals seem insurmountable. Chunk it down. Focus on winning segments of the day. Looking too far ahead will make you want to stop.
  3. Embrace the valleys- Yes, there are going to be challenges along the way. Everyone experiences struggle. Who are we to think we are above adversity? Be different. Take a challenge; adjust our thinking. We are in this position for a reason.
  4. Connect with others– Along the journey we will encounter special people. Don’t take them for granted.
  5. Help someone- There will be times when you have the ability to enhance someone’s life experience. Do it.
  6. You’ll need assistance along the way- Your success will be the result of many things but none more important than the people you are surrounded by; parents, spouse, friends, bosses, administrators and your assistants. There is no way you can do it alone. Don’t forget it.
  7. Stay in the Fight- the best coaches of all time very rarely reached the ultimate prize (Super Bowl Champs, World Series Champs, National Champs). However, they never “gave a season away.” Each opportunity is special; treat it as such.
  8. Everything is not in our control- What if Tom Landry got fired after his fifth losing season in a row?  Is he still considered great? What if Coach K doesn’t get hired at Duke after going 9-17 in his last year at Army? Would he be the coaching icon he is today?
  9. You will face critics- Your name will get drug through the mud. You will upset people; sometimes you will be to blame and other times you will not. Accept it, apologize sincerely, and move on. I wish it could be seamless; however, it is not.
  10. It’s not about reaching the summit- Treat others well, work hard; “smell the roses” and develop deep relationships. Understand that the end goal is not the most important thing; instead, it’s what you experience during the journey.

I don’t know much, but I do know we have a misunderstood concept of what success and goal pursuit actually looks like.  If you are doing the right thing and not getting the results you want, join the club! Success isn’t a straight line; just look at the legends of coaching.  Let me say it again, we are talking about elite level coaches! You can clearly see their careers were not exempt from struggle, nor was their success a perfect climb.  Why would we expect ours to be? You are in insanely good company.  Put your nose down, keep working hard, be kind, enjoy the journey and understand that you are exactly where you need to be.

I don’t know about you, but this week I’m going to embrace this moment in my quest.  Great things are destined to happen; however, it isn’t going to happen on my time or exactly the way I planned.  Thank you all for being a huge part of my journey.

With much respect,

Mike

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Three things to help reach your goals

What is the best time of year for a NFL franchise? Preseason Camp.  What is the best time of year for a struggling baseball franchise? Spring Training.

For most people, the start of the journey is the most exciting part.  The goal is set and there is optimism.  When the trials and tribulations occur (which they always do) the real work kicks in.   When these challenges arise goals are frequently aborted.

Goals are great; however, setting goals are the bare minimum.  I used to believe simply writing your goals down every day was enough.  It is not.  In college baseball, this is the best time of year for a lot of programs.  Check twitter: you will see “Omaha challenges,” and “Cary challenges” from a lot of college baseball programs (Omaha, NE and Cary, NC are the host of their respective World Series).  EVERY sports franchise/team has goals.  EVERY school and business has goals.  Goals are not enough! In order to make a goal a reality you must have three things: Reasons (why), sacrifice, and the habits to be successful.

What’s your Reason? What’s Your Why?
Have you ever noticed many of our elite performers: actors, athletes, musicians, oftentimes have overcome a major obstacle in life such as: an abusive childhood, an absent mother or father, or some kind of major trauma?  Most people are broken by traumatic events; however, certain people resolve to use negative events to propel their goals and dreams.

The more powerful your reason or your why, the higher the probability that your dream will become a reality.  In sports, you’ll frequently hear: “I love to win.” Or, “I want to do it for my parents.” Or, “I want to be all-conference, all state, or an All-American.”  The problem is 95% of those involved in sports will have a similar “why” and if you find yourself on the side of the heavy majority you’re not in a position to achieve greatness.  When we fail to achieve our objectives, it typically isn’t a “goal” issue; instead we haven’t identified a strong enough why.

Please watch this interview of Steve Smith of the Baltimore Ravens.  The entire video is full of gems but he gets to his “why” around the 4:25 mark.  It takes more than talent to last 16 years in the NFL.
Steve Smith

In addition, my favorite “why” for 2016 is from James Connor of the Pitt Panthers.  James endured chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.  He has battled his way back on the field and in Pitt’s win yesterday versus Duke he became the all-time touchdown leader in ACC history.   One of his why’s is “to play for someone who can’t.”  Take the time and read his article, “Nothing is Guaranteed from the Player’s Tribune here: James Connor Players Tribune

What are you willing to sacrifice?
You say you want to win championships, be a CEO, own your own business, or run an elite school.  The goal has been established.  You’ve challenged yourself to identify your reason why.  The next question you must ask is: What am I willing to sacrifice?  I’ll be honest, this is where the dream ends for most people.  Sacrifice is scary.  We don’t want to abandoned the seemingly “fun” things in our life: partying, socializing, eating poorly, or drinking to excess? Even if we can get past these negative habits, sacrificing time with family and friends (which are unfortunately necessary) will stop most people. Before you set a goal it is imperative you own the importance of sacrifice.

Please think for a moment about sports. Most amateur baseball players say they want to play in the Big Leagues.  Very few people think about the sacrifice making that goal a reality.  For example, the lifestyle of a minor league player is far from glamorous.  To start, you are going to be away from family and friends for eight months of the year.  Maybe you are newly married, in February you report to spring training then you head off to small towns throughout the country.  You make very little money so more than likely your wife has to work and cannot accompany you during the summer.  The minor league player, while trying to overcome the daunting odds of making the Big Leagues, is dealing with issues back home while traveling on a bus in between games.  How many birthday parties, family gatherings, and friend’s weddings will you miss while pursuing your goals?  Even if you make it to “the show” you play 162 games a year and 81 of those are on the road.  Most people say, “Well, if I was making a million dollars, I wouldn’t care.” True, the money is very good if you are an elite player; however, they are still human.  Time away from your children and family is still extremely difficult.  Money may help but it doesn’t solve the problem.

Here is a good article on Matt Buschmann who made his big league debut in April at the age of 32.
Matt Buschmann

Do your Habits align with your goals?
Once you have identified your why and decided that you are willing to sacrifice gravely for your dreams, the final piece is aligning your habits with your mission.  Success leaves clues.  We are in an age where there is an abundance of information and a severe deficit of follow through.  If I want to be a difference maker as a high school principal, there are multiple places where I can find information on how the top schools are executing.  However, if my actions and habits do not match those of leaders of the district I cannot expect to have high level results.

Health and fitness goals are often sabotaged by our habits.  Let’s say our goal is to maintain a healthy weight and a high fitness level.  However, our current habit is to eat a lunch high in sodium and fat from a fast food restaurant.  In addition, instead of going for a walk after work our habit is two drink a couple of beers.  We can have solid goals, but if we fail to establish the habits we will never reach our destination.

Western Michigan’s head football coach, PJ Flack, has guided the Broncos to an 11-0 start and top 25 ranking.  Coach Flack is different and his style is not for everyone.  For aspiring coaches, this piece is a great example of the habits of a highly successful coach. Coach Flack

Conclusion:
Having goals is very common.  Goals alone won’t be enough to navigate through life’s pitfalls.  More important than goals are developing powerful reasons.  A strong “why” will allow you to triumph over almost anything.  Along with the reasons we must decide what we are willing to give up in order to realize our goals.  Finally, it is imperative we align our habits with our dreams.
This could be a powerful week.  When is the last time you evaluated your goals?  More importantly, have you analyzed your why, what your willing to sacrifice and how your habits are determining your outcomes?  Invest the time this week to reflect.

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Overcoming your slump

If you have ever played sports you’ve experienced a slump.  In baseball, you can’t buy a hit.  In basketball, you are not shooting the ball with the same confidence.  When you find yourself in a slump you wonder if you will ever get another hit or make another shot.  The experience is agonizing: you feel like you are letting everyone down.  When mired in a slump, most people start doing more; more shots, more swings, more adjustments, more practice, more, more, more.  Most people focus almost exclusively on the physical skills and not dealing with their emotional state.  Today, let’s take a different approach to dealing with a slump.  Here are three areas to examine when you find yourself or someone you coach in a slump.

1.  Change in Physiology
When a player finds him or herself struggling the first thing to do is to examine how they are using their physical body.  A good place to start is by checking one’s posture.  People in slumps tend to have poor spine positioning, their heads hang low; they actually appear physically smaller.  Next, analyze their movements.  People struggling are tighter, there are less free- flowing movements.  Lastly, examine your breathing patterns.  When struggling, people tend to take short, rapid breaths depriving themselves of the necessary oxygen for high level functioning.

The Solution: If you know someone in a slump challenge them to change their physiology.  Some very basic things to do: sit up straight, walk with your shoulders back and head held high.  Address their movements; instead of small, rigid movements discuss breaking their comfort level and use big, aggressive movements.  Think about how a rock-star struts on stage or a CEO walks into a board meeting.  Visual cues are often helpful.  Finally, discuss taking long, deep, slow breaths.  Have them think about lifting their diaphragm with good air and slowly releasing the bad air.  Radically changing physiology can oftentimes radically change the results.

2.  Change in Focus
While in the midst of a slump the “poor, pitiful me” syndrome frequently is present.  The athlete is consumed with their individual results.  Sometimes they will begin to fret over whether or not they will stay in the line-up.  Even things that outwardly appear positive; practicing more, discussing their struggles, watching more videos, for example, can actually be harmful.

The Solution- Pour yourself into your team or others.  Instead of focusing on you, become incredibly selfless.  Look for something, anything that you can do for your teammates.  When we focus exclusively on ourselves our reality becomes distorted.  Our “slump” becomes the most critical, devastating thing in the universe.  When we make the decision to change our focus our situation oftentimes improves dramatically.

3.  Change in Language
“I stink.” “I will never get a hit again.” “I don’t know why this is happening to me.  I don’t deserve this.”  These types of self-defeating phrases are commonly used by individuals in a slump.  As soon as we use language like this, either outwardly or through self-talk, a different meaning is attached to the situation.

The Solution– The charge is to be incredibly disciplined in the words and phrases we use to describe our slump.  “Man, things aren’t going great right now but lookout, it’s coming!” Or, “I trust the training; success is right around the corner.”  The words we choose completely alter the experience.  Instead of seeing yourself as a victim you become an adventurer.  We possess the power and ability to choose how we view a situation.

Conclusion
When an athlete is in a slump the typical response is to focus on the skill deficiency.  “What is wrong with my swing” is a phrase that coaches hear most often.   Most coaches focus on the physical skills without considering the mental component when addressing these issues.  My suggestion is to first analyze their physiology, focus, and language.  Addressing the physical problem usually amounts to treating the symptom; however, the cure is discovered by adjusting the mental approach.  Of course, sports issues, like slumps, manifest themselves in the real world.  The same three step approach can be applied in times when you find yourself in a personal rut. If you are down, start by getting up and moving. Follow that by changing your focus; simply put, begin serving others.  Finally, develop discipline in the way you speak to others and, equally as important, how you speak to yourself.  Everyone experiences times when we feel less than our best.  These three skills can you back on the right track.

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Making the Jump

I arrived to the Coca Cola facility at 5:45am.  It was a warm, July morning in the summer of 2001.  I was in my first few weeks as a sales representative for Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE).  Every Tuesday morning, we had a sales force meeting at 6am; I arrived 15 minutes early ready to take my seat and learn the strategies for success in the industry.  On this particular Tuesday morning something was different.  As I went to enter the building I was told to stay outside.  As the sun began to rise you could see a large object covered with blanket at the far end of the parking lot.  At precisely 6am the head of sales walked outside blasting George Thorogood’s, “Bad to the Bone.”  The crowd of salesman began to roar as the blanket was removed and in front of us stood and old Pepsi machine.  With “Bad to Bone” playing and the sales staff roaring a sledge hammer was handed to the sales manager.  For the next 10 minutes the sledge hammer was passed around to the sales force mob.  As for me, I was hiding in the back hoping not to be seen.  The sales manager knew that I had played college baseball.  From the front of the action he beckoned, “Deevers!  Where is Deevers?”  I sheepishly pointed to myself as if to say, “Do you mean me, Mike Deegan?” “You, Deevers, you played college ball; get up here and hit this thing!”  The crowd roared, “Deevers, Deevers, Deevers” as I began wailing on the Pepsi machine.

My First Attempt at Jumping
That was a huge moment for me.  I knew right there that I couldn’t work for Coke for long.  I was young, I had no idea what I wanted to do or what I was qualified to do.  All I knew was that my heart wasn’t in this profession.  That winter I applied to Duquesne University in their Masters of Counseling program.  I decided I wanted to advise and coach at the high school level.  I wanted to help students increase their options when looking for college opportunities.  In addition, I wanted to coach.  My plan was to coach football, basketball and baseball.

This isn’t one of those “I walked to school five miles, uphill both ways” stories; this really was a challenging time.  Coke required you to work from 6am-4:30 Monday-Friday. The Duquesne program was from 9-5 on Saturday’s.  Most of the people in my cohort were either full-time students or only worked part-time.  The majority of time I arrived to class underprepared.  I felt like I was doing a poor job at work and in the classroom.  Nonetheless, I was progressing toward my goals.  I was one semester and an internship from having my Masters when I got the call….

The Big Jump
Don Schaly, had recently retired after 40 years as the head baseball coach at Marietta College.  I was fortunate to have played for coach from 1998-2001.  When Coach Schaly retired his top assistant, Brian Brewer was named the new head coach.  Coach Brewer called and said that over 100 people had applied for the assistant coach position but he really wanted me to apply.  I was flattered; however, I was torn.  After a year and a half of working and going to school, there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel.  Taking the Marietta Assistant job would mean the hard work would virtually be all for not.  Also, monetarily the move made little sense.  I would be taking a significant pay cut and I was saddled with large loans from Duquesne.  I was living in the Pittsburgh area where I was born and raised.  Abandoning my Master’s pursuit, taking a big pay cut, and moving to a new area made very little sense to most people.  Despite the naysayers, I made the jump and accepted the position as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Marietta College.

The Number one deterrent of “jumping:” FEAR 
What it is the number one thing that stops people from “making the jump?” Fear. Fear of the unknown.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of looking stupid.  When we are in this state of fear we often try to rationalize it: “I can’t do that.  It is just not smart.” “Even though I hate my job, I make a good living.”  The list and reasons go on and on.  However, if we get right down to it, fear is prohibiting from pursuing our passion.  Days and months and years pass by before we notice that we are miserable.  Eventually our spirit breaks and we are merely existing.  We all know people like this.  They aren’t “bad” people; they are just chronically unhappy.

Action Step:
Do you need to jump right now? What aspect of your life is begging for a change?  This week, make a jump.  I’m not suggesting that you quit your job immediately; however, I am suggesting that you take a risk this week.  Everyone has something tugging at their heart.  Why not go for it this week! Put yourself out there.  There will be critics; who cares?  Most of the people who criticize are just jealous that they lack the courage to jump.

The Result of My Jump:
On Friday at 8:28pm Lowrie and I welcomed our fourth child, Rooney Meyer, into the world.    Making the jump in 2003 has led me to so many amazing things. I coach, teach and mentor for a living.  I’ve been a part of championship teams and have met so many incredible people along the way.  Most importantly, the jump led me to Lowrie and she and I have created a wonderful life together.  Please don’t get me wrong.  There are days I struggle.  The journey has not been free of obstacles.  However, I can honestly say I am living the dream.

Keep on Jumping:
Since my jump in 2003 there have been many “smaller jumps” along the way.  For example, in 2011 we took the job at Denison University which meant moving our entire family.  More recently, I took the jump of writing this newsletter.  I’m a baseball coach.  You better believe there have been critics along the way.  Most people wait to write after they have “made it.”  I have chosen to make myself vulnerable.  Honestly, I hear the critics but the relationships from sharing my thoughts have been truly amazing.  Finally, I plan on taking another jump in the upcoming weeks.  I have a website that will launch featuring ideas on teamwork, culture building and leadership.  I’m feeling pulled to expand my message and the vision is to connect with schools, communities and businesses.  Please stay posted.

We are in this together.  If you are struggling to “jump” don’t feel like you are a coward.  Most people feel the same struggle.  Our challenge is to fight average and refuse to settle.  There’s greatness in all of us.  We just have to find the courage to jump.

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Three big mistakes I made in my career (and how you can avoid them)

I wish I could hit the reset button on a few things I did when I first became a head coach. Here are three mistakes I made.

Mistake #1: I made assumptions.  Denison was 30-45 the two years prior to our arrival.  There was major instability in the leadership; I was the fourth head coach in eight years.  The program was struggling academically, athletically and socially.  So what did I do? I made assumptions.  The kids are soft.  They are ENTITLED.  They don’t care about playing winning baseball.  With these preconceived notions, I arrived with a sense of anger before I even met the players.

Correction #1: Instead of making assumptions I should have invested in connecting with the players.  I should have listened more and demanded less.  After I finally decided to get to know the guys I learned many of my thoughts about them were COMPLETELY wrong.  They were jaded.  They were hurt.  They wanted to be led.  You see the problem?  My approach was from a negative space; instead, I should have analyzed from a neutral position.

Real Life Application:  This week avoid making assumptions.  You know that person in your office that doesn’t talk much?  Have you labeled him a jerk?  Maybe she really isn’t a jerk; maybe she is just shy.  Get to know them.  Connect in some way.  Show them you care.  You know that person who hasn’t returned your call?  Have you complained that they don’t have the courtesy to call you back?  Have you ever thought maybe something major in their life has occurred and they simply forgot?  You see, we spend a lot of time assuming things that are the furthest thing from reality.  .

Mistake #2: I DEMANDED trust.  I arrived at Denison coming off back-to-back National Championships at Marietta College.  There are 375 teams in Division III baseball and we finished first two-years in a row.  I truly felt like the players should trust me based off of my past.  How arrogant of me!!

Correction #2:  You Earn trust.  People do not care what you know until they know you care.  Your past doesn’t equal your future.  I touched on the “Three C’s of trust:” character, competency, and connection a few weeks back (Coach-Ability, Trust and Some Nuggets from Urban Meyer).  Trust takes time and hard work.  Your reputation may get your foot in the door, but it will not create a high-trust environment.

Real Life Application: Take ownership of creating a culture of trust.  Have you missed opportunities to connect with your employees or athletes?  Good!  Apologize for your shortcomings.  A heartfelt apology goes a long way in creating trust.  Like me, are you expecting people to believe in you because of your position or past?  It is o.k.  However, since you have become enlightened start making adjustments in your approach.

Mistake #3: I thought I could do it all myself.  One of the first things I did when I got the job was I scrubbed the Press Box from top-to-bottom.  Next, I turned my attention to the field.  All of these things were done with good intentions.  I truly thought myself and coaching staff alone could move the baseball program forward.

Correction #3: Spend time building relationships.  Do you want to run an elite organization? You can’t do it by yourself.  In my world, you need the trust and support of admissions, the training staff, physical plant, administration, alumni, and the community.  Investing time in forging relationships is critical.

Real World Application:  Are there areas of your life or work that you should be trying to delegate?  Are you afraid to relinquish control because “if you want it done right, do it yourself?”  You can’t do it alone.  Use your resources.  Delegate.  Teach. Mentor.  Lead.

I shared with you three huge mistakes I made at the beginning of my head-coaching career.  I hope you can learn from my gaffes.  I have a favor: would you be willing to share a leadership mistake you made?  In addition, if applicable, tell me how you would have approached it differently.  I really look forward to learning from you.

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