Masonry Magazine January 2009 Page. 40
Business Building
By George Hedley
Slap Their Backs
My first year in high school, I went out for the water polo team. Our coach was also the head baseball coach who never played water polo and couldn't swim. As the season progressed, we learned the basics and began to gel as a team. I liked our coach and discovered his baseball teams consistently went to the league championships, plus he held the league record for most coaching wins. Many of his players earned college scholarships, and several were playing in Major League Baseball.
As our league water polo games approached, the intensity increased. Our baseball coach was beginning to get the best from everyone on our young team. We were beating teams ranked much higher, and we rose from fifth to second in the league standings. Only one team stood in the way of our winning the league championships. That final game was awesome. We beat the best and went on to celebrate the victory.
Coaching counts
As I look back, I realize what made us successful. We didn't have raw talent or experience, or the best plays or techniques. Our coach made the difference. Every day, he approached each player, slapped his back and complimented him. He made us want to get better, improve and win. He always talked about our possibilities, never our failures or mistakes. He never yelled or talked down to us. He constantly reminded us that we could be the best only when we decided to be the best.
As I manage my staff and leadership team, my natural tendency is to try to fix their problems. It is easy to find fault and criticize. Have you ever wished your people were as accountable, responsible and hard working as you? Do you often hope your people will change and improve?