WE NEED LEADERS, NOT MANAGERS

A great article came out recently in a business magazine. The author talked about the need for more leaders and fewer managers. I agree. Drawing the distinction is as easy as defining the terms.

A leader - sets the philosophy, sets goals, organizes how to get there and then moves his people in the right direction. A leader is constantly evaluating those he works with because he wants to reach his goals. He is also evaluating himself.

A manager - looks just like a leader in most respects but lacks the vision and direction and the desire to get there.

A leader will challenge the system to find a better way. A manager doesn't care what the system is as long as it doesn't interupt his management.

People like managers if they like being told what to do and just getting by.
People hate managers if they are driven.

People like leaders because leaders stand for something and believe in it. they set clear guides of what will be happening so the follower can decide to follow or not.
People hate leaders if they don't like change and being asked to fit into a program.

Managers like keeping themselves out of the spotlight of decision making because they fear what people think.
Leaders like being able to make the decisions because they are achieving something.

Leaders stand out in a crowd because they almost always have an oppinion and don't mind expressing it.
Managers are a dime a dozen and you find them around you all the time but you never notice them.

Leaders make enemies because taking a position means others will disagree with you.
Managers avoid conflict because they don't feel like they have a position worth fighting over.

Managers don't instill much confidence because they don't have high expectations.
Leaders create life long friends because they inspire others to do their best. Whether they mean to or not.

The world needs more leaders. Our programs need more leaders. Our schools, communities and businesses need more leaders. I love football because it trains people to be leaders.

I'M DONE. FINALLY!

This week I finished my Masters degree in PE and Coaching. To say I've learned a lot would be an understatement. The only bad thing about getting my masters degree is that I have to pay for it now. It's unfortunate that the economy had to go bad at the same time I finished.
Now instead of making money because I'm educated, I'm actually losing it.

I figured out today that if I used my coaching stipend to pay for my masters it would take me the next 15 years to pay it off. I'm not bitter, just laughing at the irony of the situation.

However, no matter the situation, I'll always be glad I went through the struggle to learn what I learned and get the expertise in the field so I can be better.

HIGHER EXPECTATIONS

In January I attended a football clinic in southern California. I learned more than I could ever use in one season. I met with coaches from all over the southwest as well as some college and NFL coaches. Without a doubt it was the best learning experience I've had as a coach so far.

So, what did I learn?

First, and probably most important, I was reminded that the kids in California and the kids in Snowflake are the same. I expected to see kids on film that were 6'2", 220 lbs. Instead I saw kids that were the same as our athletes. One school of 2000 had linemen that averaged 200lbs. Our linemen are bigger than that. That school was the Division 5 CIF champions.

Second, their athletes are required to work out year round. Even the small programs that share athletes require their athletes to lift year round.

Third, I was reminded that we set our own limits. As soon as we sit back and say, "That's all we can do," then our progress has stopped and we won't get better. The programs that are winning year after year are functioning at a different level from ours. Rather than sitting back and being satisfied with taking 3rd place in our conference every year I'm committed to kicking our apathy in the teeth.

We have the potential to be the best team in the state. We have the athletes. We have the numbers. We have the coaches. Now we just need to have a winning attitude and a commitment to take ourselves to the next level.