Do You Know Exactly What you Want in a New Hire?

One characteristic that separates great leaders is the ability to filter out all the white noise.  To avoid all the distractions and focus on the simple things that have proven true over time.  It is the discipline necessary to do this better than others that separates the elite leaders from others.

Tom Herman really honed this skill in his time with Urban.  If you run a business do you know exactly what 3 traits you want when you make a new higher?  Do you know what you are looking for in an interview?  If you don't know exactly what you are looking for there is a great chance you will find it.  That adds up to bad hires.  Bad hires lead to low moral.  Low moral causes the good people to leave your organization.

Check out this article and listen to this interview.  Business Leaders can learn a ton from Tom.


http://footballscoop.com/news/tom-herman-points-3-traits-assistant-coaches-possess-get-staff/

Never rush the passer as one man

Never rush the passer as one man

Good teams with units that function well together know their role and how they fit into the scheme.  It's true in football and true in business.  Elite teams, high functioning units understand their place, know the role of those around them and hold each other accountable.  True in football, true in business.

This year I took my son and friends on our now-annual pilgrimage back to Northwest Missouri for a football game.  We sat in on D-line meetings,  defensive pre-game pep talk, pregame warm-up, they kids played on the field, hung out in the coaches office and enjoyed the game from the sidelines.  The kids loved it!  For me, the day is spent reminiscing and absorbing every reminder of my former life and the leadership lessons I can take back to my current role in the "civilian world" outside of football.  A day spent listening and learning to world-class competitors is a great day for me!

There is a lot to be impressed with as this talented Northwest team has won 29 games in a row.  For those of you who don't follow college football it is really difficult to get (and keep) 18-22-year-old kids prepared, motivated, grounded and generally free from doing stupid stuff for 29 games in a row.  Damn near impossible no matter how talented you may be.  And this group is talented, but talent alone is not what makes them special. Not even close.   This group plays hard, really hard, with tremendous consistent effort!  This group is physical.  A punishing type of wear-your-ass-out, 4-quarter, strap-your-shit-up physical. A style coaches absolutely love.  But physicality is only a small part of what makes them special.

As I listened to the D-line meeting and defensive pre-game talk from Rich Wright I was impressed.  His pre-game talk was one of the absolute best I have ever heard.  His ability to prepare and motivate a defense is well documented.  Perhaps I should and will share more from that speech in a blog post some day.

But it was a very simple phrase from the D-line film session that most stuck with me from that day.  A rather simple coaching point.  "Never rush the passer as one man."  These kids had a great understanding of their assignment.  That is not uncommon in college football.  They also had a tremendous understanding of their teammates' assignment.  That is more uncommon, but not unusual.  What makes this group so special is their willingness to buy into the concept of playing their exact role.  Caring enough about each other to understand and execute their part flawlessly.  To resist the urge to be selfish.  To resist the urge to make a play that may leave a teammate in a tough spot. That is what makes them unique.  The level of detail and the absolute willingness to commit and submit to the plan.  I watched them do exactly as Rich had instructed.  They absolutely annihilated Pittsburgh State, one of the most-decorated D 2 programs in the country. 

 Simply put, Northwest does not rush the passer like other people.  They don't beat their man.  Their unit beats your unit.  They force your quarterback from the spot he is most likely to complete the highest percentage of his throws for a particular down, distance, hash and yard line.  The Bearcat defensive line forces the offensive lineman into the lap of the quarterback while eliminating the running seems they most want to protect while maximizing the seems they most want to entice opposing quarterbacks to select.

This may not make complete sense to some who are not college football fans.  So here it is in layman's terms.  They execute with surgeon-like precision while unleashing unrelenting controlled violence.

Forcing your quarterback from the spot he is most likely to complete the highest percentage of his throws for a particular down, distance, hash and yard line may sound a lot less glamorous than blowing past your man for game-winning sack. For most college players that is true.  At Northwest it is different. 

Business leaders would be smart to spend the day with the Northwest Missouri defensive line and listen to Rich coach.  Listen to what the players understand about playing their role, executing their assignment, knowing their part in the big picture and coaching and teaching each other.

Business leaders ask these questions:

Does your leadership team rush the passer as a unit?  Or is each person out to sack the quarterback on their own?  Will your sales or operations team occupy two blockers to allow the other to come free for a path to the quarterback?  Does your team resist the urge to leave an open lane for the quarterback to step up in the pocket?  Will they play their role even though it may cost them an opportunity at a  sack?

Sacrifice for the greater good, a genuine belief that positive things will happen if they play their part, a palpable feeling of love and concern for the person next to them.  A disregard for anything other than a team win.  At Northwest, they believe in never rushing the passer as one man.  Can you say the same about your business? 

How does this happen? Why NDSU was able to beat Iowa

Yesterdays win by NDSU has many people across Iowa and the country shocked.  Not me.  Not for a second.  There are four major reasons. 

1. Expectations
2. Motivation
3. Nothing to lose
4. Behind the numbers

I will briefly discuss what leaders can take away from this game and then dive into the scholarship numbers. A quick behind the scenes look for the college football junkies. I am going to attempt to keep this brief because I could write about this all day and it is too nice outside to do that!

1. Expectations- NDSU expects to win.  They have a history of winning.  I have no behind the scenes knowledge of the program, but I would bet they have a player-driven-culture.  (for more on that see my blog post below on the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats) we often get what we expect in life.  What do your teams expect? 
2. Motivation-  Many of the FCS players have a chip on their shoulder from not having got an offer at the FBS level.  Hell hath no furry like a kid passed over by the schools of their dreams.  What motivates your team and how can you press those buttons?
3. NDSU has nothing to lose and they played that way.  They competed like kids in the back yard.  They have fun.  How can create an environment that promotes a culture of fun?
4. Ok. Here we go college football junkies. 

The FBS (big boys or 1A) teams have 85 full-ride scholarships.  If a student-athlete qualifies for financial aid he can even keep some money above and beyond for expenses.  It is all or none.  You can't break the scholarship up into partial scholarships. (for more on this see my previous post about recruiting walkons at Iowa State)

The FCS (smaller schools or 1AA) teams have 63 scholarships that may be divided into partial scholarships.  This is where it gets interesting.  Many of the FBS (big boys) are offering full ride scholarships to 16 and 17 year old kids.  This is an inexact science.  Ok, maybe it's not even science at all.  There are many multi-sport athletes at small schools who get much better once they get to college.  They focus on one sport and get the strength/speed/nutrition emphasis they did not in high school.

The FCS teams are able to hedge their bets a bit and spread out the scholarships over a larger number of kids with less investment.  It is similar to having a diverse investment portfolio as opposed to having most of your money in a few stocks.  If the FBS (Big boys) make a mistake in recruiting and offer a player that turns out to be a bust they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Well-meaning administrators(and needed) create rules to protect the student-athlete and  make it nearly impossible to send a player packing.  If too many players leave it the teams APR score (retention ratio) and graduation numbers.  This creates the rock/hard-place scenario.

I am not saying that FCS (smaller schools) teams have an advantage.  I am not saying Northern Iowa should beat Iowa State.  I am not saying NDSU should beat Iowa.  I am just explaining why these games are often closer than most think they should be.  These teams share a recruiting landscape that does not produce a lot of finished-product, sure-fire,  can’t-miss Division 1 prospects.  It does produce a lot of hard-working, late-developing, mentally-tough kids.  Unless you have a crystal ball this levels the playing field more than most know or care to understand. 

As you have seen already this season, there are plenty of talented players at UNI and NDSU. And now, you know a little more about the reasons why these games are often closer that the "experts" say they should be.

Creating a Culture of Accountablity

I saw this article on UNC Head Football Coach and thought I would share.  Fedora eliminates hiding places and forces a culture of accountability in the UNC program. This is yet another great example of what business leaders could learn from football.  I have worked with several who have instituted several similar (some almost exactly) programs to the ones mentioned in the article.  I have not been anywhere that placed the players commitment level on his locker for all to see, but I love the concept.  Some of these accountability plans may not fit exactly in your work place, but it certainly would make things interesting!  I am not sure most people in the business world could handle the plain-spoken-truth that comes in college and pro sports.  Some food for thought…

The link is below…

http://footballscoop.com/news/i-hate-hiding-places-how-larry-fedora-teaches-accountability-at-north-carolina/

Keeping Score in your Business

Keeping Score in your Business

The 2006 season may have been my favorite season coaching football. Our team struggled early in the season, but made a magical late season run that culminated with a Championship.  My best friend from my youth made the trip to the game and I still remember what he told me after the game.  "On the best of the best days at my work we have never poured Gatorade on each other to celebrate, never had confetti pour from the rafters.  I am jealous that you get to do this for a living"

In football, each and every week you get a very public grade.  There is a winner and a loser.  Someone else is working to defeat you, to embarrass you, to take something from you.  Even during the off-season people keep track and score recruiting efforts.  It's intense.

When you win it calls for intense celebration.  Why don't we celebrate victories the same way in business?  I'm not necessarily advocating walking through the halls showering each other with Gatorade, but would a high-five or two be so crazy? 

I believe it is because most businesses don't keep score effectively.  You may have piles of data and figures, but what exactly  is winning and what is losing?  How are you doing each week?  What happens when you win? What happens when you lose?  Does each team member have a metric that defines their part of the winning equation?  Do you clearly communicate what the expectations are for winning and losing?  Do your team members understand that actions have consequences?  That both winning and losing has repercussions?  Or is it all too gray?  What happens when you fall short?  What happens when you exceed expectations? 

In college and pro football every week half of the teams spend countless hours preparing…and still lose.  Someone else was better.  Half of the teams fail every week. It is a statistical fact.  That type of constant feedback sharpens your preparation and magnifies every detail in a way that is hard to explain unless you have lived it.  It forces you to examine every part of your program.  You lost, it says so on the scoreboard and the whole world knows it.

In your business, give some thought to clearly defining how you will keep score on a weekly basis.  Clearly define winning.  Clearly define losing.  Then, articulate expectations and celebrate victory!  Continue winning behavior.  Repeat winning performance.  Despise losing! Regroup, make changes, dig deeper, analyze, recommit and change the behavior. Find a way to get back to winning.

While 2016 is still young, find simple ways for your team members to know exactly what the score is.  Then, get your Gatorade coolers ready!

20 Years in Football: The Toughest Player Ever

In 20 years coaching college and pro football I have seen my share of tough-guys. I've coached guys who played hurt, overcame a tough upbringing and persevered after being cut multiple times. 

One individual stands out above all the rest when it comes to toughness.  One guy, who has displayed a mental toughness beyond all others.

In football the words mental toughness are used by every coach.  What exactly is mental toughness?  Different coaches define mental toughness differently.  To me, mental toughness is the ability to stay positively focused on the present, no matter the past circumstance. 

No one personifies this definition of mental toughness like my friend Danny Sipple.  He is my hero.  

Born with spina bifida and a laundry list of secondary ailments, Danny got his first wheel chair at age 5.  Danny has had 43 surgeries and has been in and out of hospitals countless times. MIRSA, kidney and bone infections, amputation and 3 stints on a ventilator... Danny has beat them all.  I have never asked what Danny's life expectancy was when he was born...it is irrelevant.  I do know what Danny's current life expectancy is... He expects to live each day 100% to the fullest.  See, it's not that Danny has beat all these odds, it's the way he does it.  He defies the odds each and every day with a smile on his face and with a genuine concern for others.  He stays positively focused on the present, no matter the past circumstance.  Each person Danny encounters is a blessing for the individual who crossed Danny's path.  He is the person that brings me the most strength and comfort when times are "tough" in my life.  He is the example when trying to teach mental toughness to my children.

Danny is a passionate fan of Jesus Christ, his mother and multiple Chicago sports teams.

When I met Danny almost 10 years ago it was random luck (or divine intervention)at Riverfest.  A county-fair-type gathering in our village of South Elgin, IL (a Chicago Suburb).  I said hello and asked Danny how he was doing.  Danny was sporting his now-familiar overalls and Cubs hat and the conversation quickly turned to sports.  Danny began to share his passion for his favorite teams, which included the Chicago Rush Arena Football Team. Danny went on about  "how awesome" the Rush were and how much he loved going to the games.  At the time, I was coaching for the Rush.  (A fact I did not share with Danny as we talked for almost an hour).  Later that night, I introduced Danny to my family and friends and he brought his Mom (Kim) over to meet us.  Small world...My family had been stopping to see Kim (and her dog Hogan) at the village hall before my daughter's preschool.  Danny eventually found out I coached for the Rush.  A friendship quickly ensued...

We had Danny over to our house for dinner with AFL legends Dennison Robinson and DeJuan Alfonzo.  I began hanging out with Danny.  I was doing something I thought would benefit someone else.  To be honest, someone I thought was less fortunate.  Little did I know, I was the one who would benefit from our friendship.  Little did I know, I could only hope to be as fortunate as Danny. 

I don't know the exact number of times I have been to see Danny in the hospital.  I can't guess how many phone calls have come from his hospital bed.  I'm not sure how many times Kim has called asking for prayers that Danny makes it through the night.  No clue how many times Kim has called to let me know Danny made it through another surgery.  But, I do know, it never gets old when Danny calls to say "Hey Brother, guess where I am? That's right, I'm home!" 

I also  know the exact number of times I have heard Danny complain, feel sorry for himself or have a negative attitude. I know exactly how many times I have heard him wallow in self-pity.  A big fat zero!  That's right...zilch, zippo, nada, never...Danny defines mental toughness.  Through the 104 degree fevers, the breathing tubes jammed down his throat, the 119 day hospital stay, bed sores, doctors appointments, surgeries and more... to Danny every day is a blessing.  Every challenge an opportunity.  Every mountain, no hill for a climber.  He remains focused only on the present, no matter the past circumstance.  Danny is mental toughness defined.  Through all the challenges, Danny has a passion for life.  A spirit and positive outlook unmatched .  That's why he is my hero!

Recently, Danny recovered from what was expected to be a minor hospital stay.  He called, as he always does, to tell me he was home. When I spoke with him, I did not tell him I loved him and that he was my hero.  As we were wrapping up the phone call, my door was open and someone came in to ask me a question.  I got off the phone without letting him know.  The next day, I received the all-to-frequent call from Kim asking for prayers.  As often happens, his fever had spiked and Danny had been rushed back to the hospital.  As he always is, Danny was so excited to be back home the day before.  I felt awful and was filled with regret for not letting Danny know how I felt about him.  I vowed I would never let that happen again.  Now, I always tell Danny how much I love him and that he is my hero.  I will not miss the opportunity  again.  Danny taught me that.  Danny has taught me to look for opportunities.  Danny gives me free advice.  Danny prays for me to be a better father.  Danny has taught me more about mental toughness than any player I ever coached.

So today on your 28th Birthday Danny,  I thought I would share a little bit about the toughest player ever. The toughest player in the biggest game.  We can all learn from you Danny.  May we all see ourselves as fortunate .  May we all show more concern for others.  May we all stay positively focused on the present, despite our past circumstance.  

You are my hero.  I love you brother!  Happy Birthday, Dan-man!

Barta’s Bold Move Propels Hawkeyes

Sometimes the boldest leadership move is to stay the course. To properly explain the back story around the Iowa Hawkeyes program following the 2014 season I am going to share a personal story.

Last Christmas Eve, I found myself in the heart of Hawkeye country as I do every year.  The state of the Hawkeye football program soon became the hot topic.  After listening to family pile on, I defended the Hawkeye coaching staff and found myself in a more-than-lively debate with my two brothers-in-law.  They were absolutely convinced Ferentz had to go.  With 20 years’ experience coaching college and pro football and five years competing against the Hawkeyes, I felt qualified to quickly “set them straight”.  After all, how hard could it be to get two highly-intelligent humans to accept an educated point of view? 

In short, I failed miserably. What I thought would be a 30 second discussion turned into an hour-plus long debate.  Frustrated that they would not accept my short explanation (and always one for a good debate) I pressed on deciding to use logic and reason to win the argument.  We went through every school in the Big 10 ranking each on facilities, access to talent, tradition, fan support and finances.  With a little debate, we came to an agreement on where Iowa fit in.  Next, we used some quick math to estimate the number of times they Hawkeyes “should” defeat the other Big 10 teams over a ten year period based on the criteria mentioned above.  We applied the same logic and math to a typical non-conference schedule and we used the agreed upon numbers to come up with an average win total. I don’t recall exactly what that number was, but I do remember (even with the early years uder Ferentz included) Iowa was over the agreed upon number.  It had worked...I “won” the debate...not so fast my friend. They still wanted Kirk gone.  They are fans (short for fanatics you know J) and were ultimately not interested in logic and reason, instead preferring to settle on emotion and sentiment.  Fans often fail to realize that for each team that finishes with a 10-2 record someone else (on average) has to finish 2-10.  50% of the games every Saturday are lost. 

I am not saying I saw an undefeated regular season coming for the Hawks. I did not.  That is not the point of this story.  The point is that following the 2014 season, most in the Hawkeye fan base were beyond reason.  They wanted change.  My brothers-in-law showed more patience than most.  They at least wanted to have an intelligent argument. 

 

When the Hawkeyes roll into Indianapolis today the black and gold will be thick.  There may be more Hawkeye fans than there was at home games to start the 2015 season.  Hawkeye fans made their opinion clear this last year and were “voting with their feet” in record numbers.  For the first time in a long time there were large empty sections in the stadium.

This is where the true leadership of Gary Barta comes in.  He did not do what was popular.  Instead, he had the courage to do what he thought was right.  He stayed the course.  Make no mistake, if the Hawkeyes had underperformed this year Barta may have had his house on the market.  The pressure from fans and boosters forces many coaches and AD’s to focus on survival rather than leadership. Faced with that same situation in today’s college football landscape most AD’s are folding faster than a garage sale card table.  Bold move Barta!