They introduced the new football coach at the University of Michigan yesterday. His name is Brady Hoke and he seems like a cross between Bo (and if you have to ask who that is, you need college football 101) and Chris Farley. Based on the fact that he said he would have walked from San Diego to take the job and his history with the team, I think the Wolverines are headed back to glory.
During the news conference, Coach Hoke made an excellent business point even though I know that wasn’t his intention and I want to pass it on for your input.
The coach was asked about the pressure he felt to turn the program around immediately and he answered by describing his philosophy. He got into the notion of team. As I watched, it seemed to me to be a great way to describe an ideal work environment:
They are going to be accountable to each other. And that is clearly the definition that you always need to have for a team. They have got to be accountable. That means that you’re going to class so you don’t let your teammates down. That means that you’re doing the right things in the community and on campus. And those are all measurable. But every time you do something that’s out of character or you have to enforce bad decisions, then it tells that you this guy is being selfish, this guy is not being accountable to who he should be, and that’s his teammate.
Let me paraphrase the above: Being accountable. Doing the right things internally and externally. Reading Key Performance Indicators, reporting back, and adjusting. Putting the group’s success ahead of your own, and requiring the group to support each member. I can’t say it much better!
I’m not sure how well Coach Hoke will do on the field but if this is how he thinks off the field, I’m sure he’ll have a team of winners. Maybe on the field too! What do you think? Go Blue!
Consult Keith 