Customer Reviews

The Tough Work of Turning Around a Team

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If leading succesful teams were easy, we could all just review videos of the very public performances of winning coaches like Bill "Tuna" Parcells and copy what he does. But it turns out that we need these successful people to explain exactly what they do and why.

On the field, Parcells has the dulcet tones of a foghorn and the patience of a hungry shark. It's what he does off the field that he explains in this three-page article in the Harvard Business Review's Different Voices series.

"The people in your company have little loyalty; some even want to fail. Your star performers expect constant pampering. Your stockholders are impatient, demanding quick results. And the media scrutinize and second-guess your every move.

I can relate."

Parcells has proven that he can turn around losing teams and he claims that it all comes down to some simple rules: Make it clear that you're in charge; confrontation is healthy; set small goals and hit them. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But it's the exact opposite of what most team leaders do and Parcells' explanation of why his rules work is worth the price of a textbook.

When I read the title of the piece, I thought it might be helpful. Upon further reading, I was lead to believe that it would be six pages. After spending six bucks on it, I found that it was barely three. The first to pages were simply the Harvard Review title, and the rest were half covered with pictures of Parcells. Everything Parcells says is true and informative, but it's so short of an article that I feel a little ripped off. Players and employees appreciate honesty, I've played on crappy teams and a good one, and the coaches on the good one weren't afraid to tell me if I sucked. Likewise, I've had the chance to work for a myth by modern standards, a highly sucessful small business. The owner of that taught me a valuiable lesson, better to be upfront and honest than to meddle in deception. This is a good article, but I have a sick feeling that if I just googled around, I could of found it for free.

Unless you are diehard Parcell's fan this book will not give you any coaching gems other than over the top personal stories of motivation through intimidation. I was impossibly looking for a secret outside of the standard work harder approach. In Parcell's I found it. Work harder, while micromanaging, and threatening everyone around you, until success is achieved then jump ship when the boat eventually sinks, (as that kind of environment can not exist in the long term), and go on to create the same hostile environment somewhere else. While Parcell's is innovative and a sound offensive/defensive mind, his management style is similar to Brian Bosworths playing style, (i.e. Get in, get as much money/success as you can in a short amount of time, get out).

And perhaps this bit of cognitive dissonance will open minds to a different perspective. I loathe football, but I can respect the abilities of people in an entertainment industry that I deplore. Bill Parcells is a gifted leader, and articulates the key points of his approach to leadership.

1. "Make it clear from day one that you're in charge."
2. "Confrontation is healthy."
3. "Set small goals and hit them."

Throughout the article he stresses the need for clear communication (although in a directive style). Less obvious is his emphasis on awareness of what your subordinates are concerned with. In his discussion of "Picking the right people", he makes it clear that a leader must be sensitive to subtle messages in behaviors and language to motivate people.

He is surprisingly articulate while still being clear and concise. An article well worth reading.

E. M. Van Court