Comments

The reason: Protecting the blind side of a right-handed quarterback. A rarer skill than the flashy receivers catching the passes thrown by that quarterback.

Posted by Steve Yastrow at October 12, 2006 8:59 PM

Couldn't agree more Steve. I have seen so many grand projects and initiatives aimed at fixing Employee sat. The issue is that they rarely work (at least not long term) - they fix symptoms - the real cause is often as simple as the quality of the relationship they have with their manager

Posted by PaulH at October 13, 2006 2:04 AM

PaulH you're on the money, people, people, people, even managers are people!

Posted by Patrick at October 13, 2006 3:10 AM

GREAT post! Back to basics: the best sport players repeat again and again the basic movements. Just if you are kind of perfect on them you can also improvise.
PierG
http://pierg.wordpress.com

Posted by PierG at October 13, 2006 3:14 AM

Steve (et al) there's a whole book on this kid, written by the matchless Michael Lewis. He's the guy who also wrote the fabulous baseball book, Moneyball.

Posted by tom peters at October 13, 2006 6:29 AM

Thanks Tom. Just looked up the book: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.

Posted by Steve Yastrow at October 13, 2006 7:14 AM

I like the idea that a "no-name" (quick, who's the left tackle that covers Peyton Manning's back?) working in the trenches is getting compensated for the value he brings. Lotsa people working in the corporate trenches covering for and elevating celebrity level CEOs are getting neither recognition nor commensurate reward for their contributions.

Posted by Ed Di Gangi at October 13, 2006 7:24 AM

NFL ebb & flow - Chicago HUGE in '06-07 so far with my Seattle team suspect and Super Pittsburg vaporizing - why is that - poor blocking/tackling?

Posted by sean at October 13, 2006 8:14 AM

Most of the ink goes to the flashy folks or the ones performing in front of the public. In football it's the backs and receivers. In business it's usually the CEO.

That's because CEOs write books and devise grand strategy. Further down the line, millions of first line supervisors do the everyday grunt work that makes the strategy happen. Those frontliners and middle managers have the big effect on morale and productivity.

Ask your kids. Odds are they know your boss's name but not the name of the CEO. Why? 'Cause your boss is the one you talk about and the one that affects your life.

Great teams have great tackles. Great companies have great "hidden leaders" all up and down the ranks. They're invisible, but vital.

Posted by Wally Bock at October 14, 2006 11:35 AM

Having spent my flight from Beijing to Minne buried in the page turner The Blind Side, the Michael Lewis book about Michael Oher which is mentioned above, I can only say that if you want to learn more about yourself by reading about others, Lewis as always delivers. Pick up a copy and read it. Essential reading - for managers, and humans.

Posted by Ann at October 15, 2006 7:02 PM