ON THE TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS NOVEMBER 3, 2014 #513 Up next…On Being a Coach!
After further review…Coach Don Shula and Dr. Ken Blanchard, two close friends and colleagues, co-authored a book titled: “Everyone’s A Coach.” The book’s major point of emphasis is that “you can inspire anyone to be a winner.” It stresses that winning is not dependent upon trick plays, formations or systems, but instead, as Shula points out “comes down to a matter of motivating people to work hard and prepare to play as a team.”
That’s a big truth stated by one of its indisputable masters. Shula has won more NFL games as a coach than anyone in history! His 347 victories while coaching the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins during his 33 years as a head coach will never be surpassed. Passing and rushing records will fall, touchdowns marks have a shelf-life, but Shula’s lifetime wins will never be exceeded. If that should happen, please contact me and I’ll personally buy you the finest steak dinner at one of Shula’s Steak Houses, which is redundant.
Blanchard is a professional speaking colleague who has written 63 (and counting) books on leadership and considered a mastermind in that industry. His wildly successful “The One Minute Manager” has sold 13 million copies and is still considered (written in 1981) a benchmark in the business world.
All that said, it is ironic to observe the gazillion folks who may believe that investing in a book will imbue them with the brilliance that inspired it. That was not Shula’s or Blanchard’s intent. The world these days seems to be full of coaches, each one better than whomever he or she is criticizing. Most have never been in the position of a coach, yet appear to possess the certain knowledge of who to play, which plays to run, and how to correct any problems that arise. The media helps stimulate this opinionated speculation, but I guess that’s what they get paid for.
When Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost was told of a fan’s harsh criticism, he responded that he doesn’t read newspapers or watch television during the season. Yost said when the MLB season is over he loves to go hunting with his bow and arrow. “Bow and arrow? Why don’t you use a gun?” came the reply. The second-guessing never stops! We need to remember that the term “fan” is short for “fanatic”. Ya gotta love ‘em!
Will you be respectful of another’s decision without being judgmental?
To contact Jim go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
Jim’s new book “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports has many stories of decision-making.
