ODU--A TOUGH DECISION FOR THE FUTURE

This past week Old Dominion University announced its intention of moving from the Colonial Athletic Association to Conference USA.  The move was a perfect example of having to make a hard decision that was going to have a negative effect on some associates for whom you have a great deal of respect.  ODU had been a member of the CAA for 20 years and easily could be identified as one the flagship programs.  The Monarchs stood strong in their commitment to the CAA with fellow Virginia universities when the conference appeared in trouble with American U, Richmond and East Carolina departures in 2000.  They helped solidify and build a strong and successful “new CAA” that became financially successful while building a national reputation as a conference whose members “do things the right way”.  Success in the athletic arena became the rule as football teams won national championships and basketball squads reached the Final Four.  

Yet when ODU made a bold move and started football in 2008  everyone’s wildest expectations for success on the gridiron were significantly surpassed.  Now with football selling out every home game and major wins on the field, Old Dominion had to evaluate what is the future of football and how will football  help meet the mission of the University.  After a careful study of the situation, taking into consideration a myriad of factors, the answer was clear.  ODU’s only course of action was to position itself as a FBS  (1A) member and find the best possible conference to maximize the value of their tremendous quick success in football.

What that move meant was they would have to leave a longtime and valued partner, the Colonial Athletic Association.  Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig understood that change is not easy and this move while great on many levels, still would have some downside.  Leaving fellow CAA members like George Mason University, William and Mary and James Madison would be extremely tough knowing the damage that would be caused to the CAA by their exodus. 

But ODU handled the re-alignment very straight-forward and direct.  They let the conference know that they were doing a study to see where their future would be with the reality that football was driving the bus.  Unlike many programs that indicated one thing and did another, ODU under the leadership of Dr. Selig and President John Broderick analyzed every potential positive and negative, received feedback from varied constituencies and then made the tough decision. 

For leaders, the ODU move to a new conference is a model on how to make a tough decision and do it with class.  Understand that while everyone will not be happy with your decisions,  if you make decisions based on solid research and information and are forthcoming and communicative about the process, reasonable people will understand.  Leadership is not about doing the comfortable thing, it is about making the decisions that helps the organization meet its mission.  

Moneyball and Brandon Inge---A Leadership Decision

After 12 years of totally giving everything he had to the Detroit Tigers, the management decided team leader and all around great teammate Brandon Inge was disposable.  So the Tigers' management did what many of the fans wanted and released the former VCU Ram.  When you look at the stats, it was an easy decision.  Inge was struggling at the plate and while he had successfully made his fourth position transition during his Tiger career, management just did not see his value. 

Inge had always done everything he could do to help the Tigers win with no concern for his own situation.  Last year in the throws of a bad slump when given the option to be released and be picked up by another team or go to Triple A, Inge chose to go to the minors and earn his way back to the “Bigs” with the Tigers.  When asked to play catcher, he put on the tools of ignorance and became a spectacular receiver.  When the Motor City 9 acquired Pudge Rodriguez, the Lynchburg, Virginia native found a home at third base and became an American League All-Star.  He opened another season as the Tigers starting centerfielder and this year was shifted to second base. 

Inge has always been the guy that would do whatever it took to win.  Playing on a team that has had many of the high priced superstars, Inge was the man that always put the team first.  He clearly was a chemistry guy that was great in the clubhouse and in the community. 

Now after being picked up by the Oakland A’s, Inge has been remarkable.  The young A’s have already acknowledged that he is a great leader and adds so much to the club.  Inge also has discovered his swing and has demonstrated the power the placed him in the All Star “home run derby”.  Amazingly, Inge is the only player since Lou Gehrig to have four 4 rbi games in 5 consecutive contests. Two grand slams and a three run blast has the ex-Tiger tied for the A’s rbi lead.

While the home runs and rbi’s prove that Inge can play, the real story is that Inge will be the perfect Moneyball player.  Billy Beane understands what it takes to win and he saw that Brandon is important as a great teammate and leader.  Brandon Inge is a winner and every organization needs a guy who is totally committed to the success of the organization.  Some leaders diminish the value of the person who can be the one who keeps everybody together.  As A’s outfielder Josh Reddick emphasized, “I don’t know what those guys across the way were thinking when they let him (Inge) go. “  It will be interesting to see how much the intangibles that Inge brings will be missed by the super talented Tigers.  Clearly the A’s love the early returns on their most recent Moneyball acquisition and are willing to take a chance on a guy who can bring more to the plate than just hits and great defense.  He brings a unique talent to the A's called leadership.  I would want Brandon Inge in my organization to set the example for all the "young folks".

MJ And the Bobcats---Leadership Gone Awry

As a player Michael Jordan was not only the greatest of all time, but unquestionably a tremendous leader who got the most out of his team and his teammates.  Fast-forward 13 years and His Airness has put together the worst team in the history of the NBA.  In his five-year stint with Bobcats, the Charlotte franchise has put together a model for futility and uncertainty.  Not only has the team been woeful on the court, but the Jordan led Bobcats has floundered in the community and spewed red ink like the tanker Exxon Valdez leaked oil.  Additionally #23’s presidential tenure with Washington Wizards set the D.C. based NBA franchise back years.

When Jordan first stepped into management, the general public expected the Wilmington, N.C. star to demonstrate the same leadership skills that resulted in six Chicago Bulls world championships.  Jordan began to raise eyebrows about his management skills by drafting Kwame Brown and compiling an inner circle of cronies and friends with limited qualifications for important management positions.  What many may forget is that there are tons of examples of great players who have been marginal or worse coaches; and reality is that coaching is the purest form of leadership.  Why does leadership as a player not always transfer to coaching or management expertise?

The answer is simple.  They are two completely different skill sets.  Great leaders all have one thing in common; their followers have a great belief that the leader can help the team (organization) succeed and will set the course to a vision that manifests itself in great rewards for every member of the team.  Great players are usually focused on themselves and through their physical talents bring out the best in every team member.  As an executive that ability has no application. Off the field leadership is all about identifying great talent, getting them to buy-in to a vision and directing the leadership process everyday.  Waking up daily and thinking what am I going to do today to make my team better.  Currently MJ has demonstrated a substantial lack of ability and willingness to attack those issues.

Regarding talent identification, Michael has failed miserably.  In his personnel decisions regarding players and management MJ has duplicated his minor league baseball career and struck out frequently.  All one has to do is look at his first round draft picks Adam Morrison and Kwame Brown and his revolving door of coaches and it becomes apparent that his ability to employ individuals who can make the Bobcats competitive is iffy at best. Good friend and contemporary Charles Barkley even commented, “I think his biggest problem is I don’t know if he has hired enough people around him who he will listen to....they want to fly around with you on your private jet so of course,they won’t disagree with you.”  Great leaders make decisions regarding personnel based on what they will “bring to the dance” not based on friendship and comfort.

Additionally Jordan has not demonstrated management competence to have the fans, players and others constituents of the Bobcats believe in him as an executive who is totally committed to the vision.  Understandably Michael has tons of other activities that become distractions.  His success has provided untold opportunities ranging from his pitchman responsibilities for Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, McDonald’s, etc. to his golfing activities to Michael Jordan Motorsports.  Until Michael totally commits to being the same type of leader with his total concentration focused on leading the Charlotte Bobcats, do not expect parallel results to those he accomplished as a player.  Great leaders are single focused and until Michael can regain that burning passion as an NBA president he had as a player, his chance to replicate that success will not happen.  Even if he does start to totally commit his time and focus to the Bobcats, there are no guarantees that #23 will ever be a great executive leader.  Remember being a leader is complex and difficult and requires a unique set of personal qualities.  One thing for certain, you will not be a successful leader if your team does not believe that you are “all in” and totally focused making the vision come true.