Dear Jimmy Haslam:
First – I am not a disgruntled fan from Cleveland. I’m a Philly sports fan. Which, by default, makes me disgruntled – period – by some standards.
Yes, I’m a sports fan. I’m also a change agent. I help organizations with change management and strategy for a living. So I know a thing or two when I say to you…STOP the cycle of rapid and poorly planned and non strategic change! It’s bad for you, it’s bad for the franchise, and it’s bad for the fans.
This is a direct quote from a Brown’s fan while watching the Browns vs Bengals game on December 6th: “I feel like I want to slit my wrists watching this game.”
The fans – you know, the people who fuel the NFL money making engine, your customers – are fed up with the results on the field. They watch on tv to give the Network’s ratings. They buy the DirectTV NFL packages. Those who can afford to step foot in a stadium even buy the overpriced hot dogs and beer.
And what do they get in return? 37 wins in 8-years. c’mon!
Let’s say you went to your local big box retail store and were only satisfied 29% of the time. Would you still shop there? I wouldn’t! Football fans are different. They’re loyal to their city or their team no matter what – however, that doesn’t mean they should be taken advantage of – fans deserve better!
Sure – a serious lack of results, like a 3-win season, is anything but progress. Then again how can you expect a team to make progress when you are constantly changing the leadership, the strategy, and the game plan?
So, Jimmy, be sure you ask these 3 questions on your next interview. Before your fans give up on you altogether…
Who do you want to be?
Prior to hiring Pettine, you almost hired Chip Kelly, who eventually – and unfortunately – took the Eagles head coaching job. Pettine and Kelly couldn’t possibly be any more fundamentally different when it comes to football coaches. Who do you want your team to be? What will be their identity? Not to rub salt in the wound but the Pittsburgh Steelers clearly have an identity. When you play them, you know what you’re getting. Who are the Browns? Set a vision and goals and then clearly map out a path to achieve them.
How will you get to where you want to be?
If winning the Superbowl isn’t on your list of objectives, then we may have found your problem. First, though, you need to make it to the playoffs. So how are you going to get there? What type of leadership do you need? What kind of personnel and support do your coaches need to succeed? What is their plan and what is their forecast for when they’ll get there? Develop a solid strategy that helps you achieve your vision.
What type of relevant experience (and results) do you have?
Funny short story: When you hired Pettine, a friend of mine had to Google who Pettine was. Ok, maybe that’s not funny. But it proves a point. So, once you define the team’s desired identity (vision), and determine how they’re going to get there (strategy) – then you need to figure out what type of experience (execution) you need to make it a reality. Does the current talent have the skill-set to get the team to where you want them to be? Implement the right structure to execute your strategy and help achieve your goals.
The moral of the story is this, Jimmy. Your fans are pissed off. And rightfully so.
So take a hint from someone who deals with change, strategy and leadership for a living…don’t try to win on a hail mary, win by taking the time to think – and develop a clear, long term, and sustainable vision and strategy for success – and don’t change it until you leave it in place long enough for a shot at a win.
Photo Credit: The Sports Bank.Net
About Scott Span, MSOD: is CEO & Lead Consultant of Tolero Solutions – an Organization Improvement & Strategy firm. He helps clients in achieving success through people, creating organizations that are more responsive, productive and profitable. Organizations where people enjoy working and customers enjoy doing business.
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