Written by If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get the results you’ve always got. Sometimes, that’s great, when your past results are winning.
How long should leaders stay in their position of power? Some very successful coaches and leaders have had very lengthy stays in their positions: Bill Belichick, John Wooden, Pat Summitt, Nick Saban, you get the point. Many of these coaches created records and statistics that won’t be beat anytime soon, but what about the leaders who have held positions for just as long but have not had the great results. Where do we draw the line and try something new?
Sean McVay, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams is the youngest coach in the NFL, and has been since he took over in 2017. He did a literal 180 degree turn to the Rams offense after taking over, they went from the worst offensive scoring team in the league, to the best. In a year. He also took the Rams to the Super Bowl in his second season. His success at such a young age has influenced other NFL teams to hire younger head coaches. Is there something to be said about bringing in younger eyes? It is too soon to say what McVay’s legacy will be, but up to this point, I’d say a little bit of change is good.
Off the field and into the front offices, leadership can often look the same: older guys, who have been in power a long time. Teams are quick to fire coaches/leadership if the team does absolutely terrible, but what about constantly being somewhere in the middle? If it’s not broke, don’t fix it? At what point do we decide the risks of a big change in leadership is necessary for the potential of great success? What about term limits to league presidents? Or shortening term lengths? Would that inspire leaders to move quicker? Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, served an eight-year term, and was recently re-elected to serve a second term of four years. Many would argue, myself included, that Bach has done great things as far as the Olympic movement is concerned, and I am a fan of term limits. I think change is necessary, and it is important to growth and success in teams and even in companies. Sometimes change can lead to failure, but as we learn from sports, failure provides opportunity for course correction, showing where flaws and gaps are so we can fix and fill them, so we can improve and become successful.