There’s ultimately someone accountable to make decisions.  President Harry S. Truman was famous for this saying.  I believe he was also quoted as seeing “if you need a friend in the White House, buy a dog”.  By the way, before you read further, this blog article is not about politics 🙂   

Jason Garrett, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, opted this week to punt on a 4th and 1 play at the Houston Texans 42 yard line in OT.  Most of us know what happened after that.  OU was unable to contain the Texas Longhorn offense this past Saturday; and by Monday the OU Defensive Coordinator was fired.

It’s easy to second-guess decisions. However sometimes, it seems so obvious when decisions are made or the wrong ones made.  Everybody is a Monday morning QB these days (me included).

All of the same decision to apply to running a business or leading a team.  We’ve all been a part of or witnessed companies that desperately needed something to change.  It is also likely that we have been a part of team when change was needed yet no change was made.  And of course, doing the same thing over and over again results in… Well you know how to finish that statement.

Leading a team or company is very similar to coaching a game or athletic event. There are adjustments that need to be made during the game with each play called. There are often times for an intermission, break or time out to discuss changes. Half time gives an even longer period of time to make bigger adjustments.

The coaching staff is able to collectively make these adjustments with the head coach ultimately responsible for the decisions that are made. The Texas Rangers recently decided to part ways with their manager/head coach. The general manager of the Texas Rangers seems to be able to skate by without the same scrutiny or consequences of poor performance of the organization.

A key to a great leader is an ability to make these adjustments on a day-to-day basis, as well as strategic adjustments in between games and for a season.

A good coach or leader is able to collect ideas and data from various sources to make decisions on the adjustments to the team.  We probably all been in that position of both advising our leader or coach on what we think would work for our company or our team. In addition, we’ve probably been on the receiving end of getting advice from team members as well as colleagues.  This is why it is so important to have smart people that also have an atmosphere and the courage to give suggestions.

I admire leaders and coaches that try to make adjustments and make decisions. Nothing is more frustrating than when you are pulling for a team or a part of a team and realize that changes need to be made. Yet no one seems to have the courage to make changes :-).   I heard someone say one time that ‘nothing changes unless you change something’.