Sports can be a tough business, particularly for those in charge. Billions of dollars are spent on stadium operations, merchandising, player contracts and any other expenditures related to managing a professional sports franchise, and if the team on the field can't perform, those tasked with overseeing that performance are usually the first to be held accountable.
This principle applies to all areas of business that extend far beyond sports. When a team can't perform to the company's standards — for example, the sales team frequently falls below its quota — the leader must take responsibility. Businesses must find executives and senior managers who will take accountability for their team's actions and ensure that they and their employees live up to the expectations of the organization.
Should the manager be given a short leash?
How long should your company allow executives to lead a team of poor performers? In sports, where team performance is everything, changes are made swiftly. In San Diego, the latest casualty of a losing team took place earlier this week when the Padres baseball team fired General Manager Josh Byrnes. The team currently has the second lowest winning percentage in the National League, and after an offseason of optimism the frustration has mounted and changes have been made.
"This ownership group is committed to fielding a team that consistently competes for postseason play," said Padres President and CEO Mike Dee in a statement on Padres.com. "Thus far this season, the results on the field have been mixed at best and clearly have not lived up to expectations. After a lengthy evaluation of every facet of our baseball operations, we have decided to make this change today."
The right leaders will not only provide their employees with the resources they need to be successful, they instill a culture of success in the group that resonates with the team. In sports, teams with poor leadership at the top are often plagued with a culture of losing, and it's ultimately the responsibility of ownership to find someone who can change the fortunes of the squad. It's the same in business. Companies with a history of poor results may need to find someone who will be able to inspire the troops to improve their performance.
Working with a search firm can find the leaders who possess this ability.
