Page 103 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Use the Most Powerful Four-Letter Word
Before a game in 1950 I found out that the wife of our captain, 85
Eddie Sheldrake, was ill—not a life-threatening illness, but very
sick. As a true team player he felt it would be disloyal to the Bru-
ins to stay home and skip an upcoming road trip. I valued his loy-
alty but understood that his place was at home with his wife. Eddie
was relieved when I told him he couldn’t go on the trip.
These acts of concern on my part were very small things, but I
mention them because they were a direct result of the feelings—
the love—I had in my heart for those I coached. It’s important to
let those you lead know you care.
A coach, just like the leader of any organization, has a deeply
personal relationship with those on the team—mental, educa-
tional, emotional, and more. For a leader in business, it also in-
cludes financial ties.
Outside of your immediate family—marriage and children—
how much closer can it get? My players are family. Their accom-
plishments have made me proud, both while they played basketball
and after they moved on to other things.

IF YOU DON’T THINK OF YOUR TEAM AS A
FAMILY, WHY SHOULD THE TEAM THINK OF
YOU AS HEAD OF THE FAMILY?

It took me a while to learn this lesson, but it is true. You must
have love and respect for those under your leadership if your
team is going to fire on all cylinders. We live in a cynical age.
Don’t let cynicism preclude love or lead you to believe those
under your leadership are simply interchangeable parts to be
used and discarded.