Leadership “DON’Ts” from Major League Baseball

As an avid baseball fan, I’d hoped for more this year out of my Atlanta Braves. While definitely still in “rebuilding mode,” it would have been nice to see a little more progress towards regaining their former glory. As the playoffs are now underway (without the Braves), most of the league is already focusing on next year. For those teams who missed out on the playoffs, it’s time for leaders to regroup and figure out how to improve on this season’s performance. Here are a couple of leadership DON’Ts you can take from this year in Major League Baseball.

DON’T break the rules: At this moment, the Atlanta Braves are lacking a General Manager. Why, you ask? It’s simple, really. When you break the rules, you have to pay the consequences. Former Braves General Manager John Coppolella and Head International Scout Gordon Blakeley were forced to resign last week after being investigated by MLB for their involvement in what the Braves called “a breach of MLB rules regarding the International player market.” While all the details are still unknown, this drama can’t help but make me think of the scandal involving Wells Fargo that has been playing out over the last 14 months. While not nearly as damaging to their customers, the Braves issues prove once again that if you don’t play by the rules, someone will be held accountable and jobs will be lost.

DON’T lose control of your team: On Wednesday morning, the Boston Red Sox announced that they would not be retaining manager John Farrell. In 5 years as Boston’s skipper, Farrell led the Red Sox to 3 playoff appearances, including a World Series Championship in 2013, his first year as coach. While winning 93 games each of the last two seasons, including becoming the first manager in Red Sox history to lead his team to back-to-back AL East titles, early playoff exits in those two seasons were only part of the reason John Farrell lost his job. The Red Sox clubhouse dealt with plenty of leadership issues this season, both in the clubhouse and with the media, and never found anyone to replace the guidance of the freshly retired David Ortiz. There seems to be an unhealthy culture in Boston right now, and they badly need someone to step up and take charge. It’s important that you have a healthy culture in your workplace, and have a team full of employees that are ready to step up and become leaders when needed.

 

John Pettit

John Pettit

John Pettit is the Managing Editor for CUInsight.com. Through news, community, press, jobs and events, he keeps credit unions digitally informed throughout the day. Web: www.cuinsight.com Details