Theo and the Cubs----Change is around the corner

With both the Red Sox and the Cubs struggling through disappointing years, change at the top was almost a certainty.  The Bean City boy wonder who took over control of the Sox at age 28 saw greener pastures in the Windy City and made the move.  When new leadership is recruited to a struggling organization one thing is certain and that one thing  is change.  Status quo is not an option so expect to see some major changes on Lake Michigan.  One thing to realize is that Epstein and good leaders need to surround themselves with an inner circle that is both loyal and committed to the same mission, core values and vision as the leader.  Quite often individuals who are hired or appointed into new leadership positions feel an obligation to keep long time employees irrespective of how they buy into the important principles of the leaders.  A sure way to become ineffective as an organization is to have non-committed managers and folks in prominent positions not buy-in to the vision.  Nothing deflates morale quicker than the new leader ascending to a leadership position and espousing great ideas and plans and then nothing changes.  Followers quickly see that the leader has no ability to make progress and will shut down.  So expect the Cubbies to have a new manager, some significant new players and many new front office staff.  The uniforms will look the same but the organization will be very different.  Will the Cubs quickly challenge for the pennant, don't know but expect some significant changes inside those ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field. As an effective leader, you cannot be afraid of change, you have to embrace it. Don't be surprised to see Cubs former great Ryne Sandberg in the manager's chair in 2012.