The Wooden's Wisdom Logo

Motivate Your Team! Cheer Up A Friend! Inspire Yourself!

Issue 360 - Great Self-Control / No Dirty Laundry (Joe Torre Part Three)

Woodens Wisdom
Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 8 Issue 360
Craig Impelman Speaking |  Championship Coaches |  Champion's Leadership Library Login

 

GREAT SELF-CONTROL / NO DIRTY LAUNDRY (JOE TORRE - PART THREE)

 
 
Hall of Famer Joe Torre was a major league manager for 30 seasons. From 1996 to 2007, Torre was the manager of the New York Yankees and guided the team to four World Series championships. He is one of only five managers in history to win four or more World Series titles and one of only two in history to win three titles in a row.
 
Torre was the only New York Yankee manager to work successfully with owner George Steinbrenner, who had changed managers 21 times in his previous 23 seasons of ownership before Torre. Torre was successful because he used great self-control in dealing with his "Tough Boss". In his book Ground Rules for Winners Torre expands on the idea:
 
"Every workplace has its share of bad-tempered executives and managers. There will always be people who meddle, backbite, and second-guess what you're trying to accomplish. You can usually deal with them. It's important, though, that you avoid pulling the same routines that you condemn in others. Treat your boss with respect even if he does not reciprocate.
 
To sustain a professional relationship with a tough boss, it's best to stay calm, rational, and cool under fire. Self-control is your best asset. Hold on to the mutual respect and trust you have worked so hard to build. Don't let your shared goals go down the tubes because you feel you must always be right. Control what you can, let go of the rest.
 
Don’t get overly caught up in your boss's reactions. I don't care if he rants and raves. Don't let petty disputes or sideshows destroy your focus on the work at hand. Do not become so emotionally involved in pleasing or battling your boss that you take your eyes off that prize."
 
Torre never complained about his boss to others in the organization, his team or the media. Torre did not distribute any "dirty laundry". In Ground Rules for Winners Torre describes his philosophy:
 
"You need constructive criticism, so be open to your boss's comments. But it's important that you distinguish between criticism and insults. The insults can hurt. If your boss belittles you, take a step back. Remind yourself that it's his problem, not yours. Don’t overreact to your boss's behavior. Let unimportant controversies die a natural death. Don't let negative comments get under your skin.
 
Respect your employer's desire to keep problems between you. If you broadcast your frustrations to others in your organization it shows a kind of disrespect for both your employer and your job. If you're a middle manager with your own staff, your goal should be to protect your team from your boss's distractions."
 
Bad coaches and managers blame their boss or company for problems and share their displeasure with their team directly or indirectly. They create distractions. Good coaches and managers shield their teams from external problems. They create inspiration.
 
Are you distracting or inspiring?
 
 
 

Yours in Coaching,
 
 
Craig Impelman
 
 
 
 


 

 

 

Watch Video

Application Exercise

COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE

 

A Preference

I'd rather be considered dull
Than use my brain denouncing things;
I'd rather not be critical
And utter words that carry stings.
I'd rather never speak at all
Than speak as one who seems to feel
That other's faults, howe'er so small,
It proves him clever to reveal.

I have no wish to pose on earth
As born to judge my fellow men;
I'd rather praise them for their worth;
If failures, bid them try again.
If faulty effort I behold,
In silence, let me pass it by,
If I must leave it unextolled,
At least the toiler shall not sigh.

No reputation would I gain
For wisdom, if in gaining it
I cause some humble worker pain
And wound him by my flash of wit.
There is no cleverness in sneers,
A fool can scoff in manner pert;
Great wisdom by this test appears
In never saying things that hurt.

Edgar Allen Guest (1881-1959)

 

 

 

 

 

For more information visit www.woodenswisdom.com

 

 

 

Enter a list of email addresses, separated by spaces, to send this issue to.

Email a Friend

Return to Issue List


Our Services
Why Wooden's Wisdom
Presentation Team
Wooden's Wisdom Leaders
Leadership Resource Center
Member Login

© Copyright 2024 WoodensWisdom.com | # of Times Wooden's Wisdom Issues Opened: 7,041,430

Hosting & Design by:EverydayWebDesign.com