- October 24, 2016
- 11:44 am
- Mary Ann McGrath
- no comments
What CEOs Could Learn From the Cubs’ Joe Maddon
Guest Blogger Sara K. Gramata, a Lecturer in Marketing at Quinlan, offered the following insights to the Cubs victory. Her insightful analysis that follows is reprinted from Crains Chicago Business:
Watching the Chicago Cubs pave their way to the World Series has been thrilling. Their success is based on solid management principles taught in B-schools every day. Here are a few of them:
1. Allow freedom within the framework. Manager Joe Maddon allows his coaches and players to evolve on their own timeline. When Anthony Rizzo’s bat lost its heat, it was an obvious drain to the rotation, but there weren’t the usual angry faces and curse words from the dugout. Similarly, employees need to have freedom to move, create and evolve within the rules of the organization. The Cubs didn’t stifle Rizzo like many clubhouses counting on their ace during playoffs. Good leaders like Maddon know Rizzo realizes what needs to happen
2. Believe in and support your team. Even with the occasional loss, Maddon has noted it’s not best “to take a trip to Negative Town,” the natural path of human nature. Instead of pulling low performers, he pumps the lineup with struggling hitters, indicating he never believed they couldn’t pull out of it. And it paid off when these hitters all made a difference in the game later with home runs or RBIs. When the Cubs skipper says he believes and supports his players, he shows it, too.
3. Hold everyone accountable. Another key lesson Maddon instills is holding everyone accountable, including himself. He does this through the “Try Not to Suck” motto. Humor is known to resonate more with teams than mandates filled with obvious pressure like “Win Every Game.” The former is simple yet profound enough that everyone can relate to it—even my own kids use it for homework or sports.
4. Use emotional intelligence. An experienced and successful manager like Maddon is emotionally intelligent. When bringing a new player into the clubhouse, he’s careful to consider not only the player’s stats but his personality as well. For Maddon, emotional intelligence is in play both on and off the field. He knows when the team needs a break from the pressure and scrutiny and lightens the mood with zoo animals, dressing up in ’70s gear or pajama road trips. Good leaders know how to re-energize their team.
5. Gain respect before making big moves. Good management skills are not limited to the field either. Team owners the Ricketts family brought promise to Chicago but didn’t hastily change things with the ballclub. They made subtle changes at first, and once they gained the respect of the city and fans, they made bolder moves. With any new manager or coach, fans expect an overnight sensation the first or second season.
6. Create a readily understood strategy. The Ricketts family and Cubs President Theo Epstein took the time to assess the situation, create a strategy everyone can understand (the Rickettses’ three founding principles: a) be a good neighbor; b) preserve Wrigley; c) win the World Series), and then make necessary changes. As a result, Wrigley has become a better ballpark, the surrounding neighborhood will flourish for decades, and now, after 71 years, the Cubs are in the World Series. The ultimate goal in business is not only to achieve profits, but to help others as well—all of which the Cubs have successfully achieved.