Leadership Matters: Develop unique relationships to drive unique results
Consider these tidbits of advice to achieve remarkably consistent leadership and service.
After 34 years at the executive level in lending for two different credit unions that are now multi-billion in size, my leadership style is what I refer to “leadership by tidbits.” Admittedly, I am not a big reader of business or leadership books; I’m more likely to pick up a golf or car magazine in my spare time. Much of my leadership style has been formed from past bosses. I try to copy different aspects of these past influencers in my life and career and avoid a few “that’s not who I want to be” aspects from a past manager who frankly wasn’t a great leader. What I haven’t picked up from past bosses, I pick up via other tidbits—little thoughts on leadership I see on an almost daily basis. I suppose I’m always learning and refining my style.
One of the latest tidbits that spoke to me came from a podcast by retired NFL player and current ESPN analyst, Ryan Clark. One of Clark’s guests was Mike Tomlin, his coach during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During ESPN’s Get Up morning show, Clark and the other analysts were talking about the recent events concerning Miami Dolphin quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa, even though many fans and much of the medical community were sure he suffered a concussion the previous weekend, was allowed to play in the Dolphins’ next game on a Thursday night, just four days later. The result was a scary event, as Tagovailoa experienced seizure-like symptoms on the field after being tackled.
The show then cut to a video of Ryan Clark’s podcast conversation with Tomlin (the specific discussion can be watched starting at the 48:15 mark) about Clark’s desire to play in a game a decade ago in Denver. There are three noteworthy details: One, Ryan Clark has sickle cell anemia. Two, after a prior 2007 game in Denver, Clark became so sick he lost his gall bladder, spleen and 30 pounds. Frankly, he could have also lost his life. Finally, to convince Tomlin to let him play in Denver, Clark assembled a medical team to prepare him for another game at the mile-high altitude.
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