Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.

~ ~ ~

Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

~ ~ ~

Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result.

~ ~ ~

The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.

Much has already been written about the current scandal involving former Penn State football coaches; the sexual abuse of young boys by one, and the subsequent failure to report and/or take morally appropriate action by other coaches and university leaders.  But, what lessons can we learn about leadership?  Here are links to three articles published over the last few days in the leadership section of CBS Moneywatch.com (one of my favorite sites!).

An Abuse of Power?  Lessons From Penn State, written by John Baldoni, published November 9.

Penn State Scandal: You Can’t Teach Leaders Morality, written by Steve Tobak, published November 10.

How Penn State Can Recover From Scandal, written by John Baldoni, also published November 10.

Newslink: Leadership features articles about the development and practice of leadership skills in today’s business world.

What a lofty goal, one person trying to get 400,000 people to donate to anything! And, vowing not to blog until that goal is reached? What a statement this person is making!

I wondered who or what in the world this @fugeesfamily could be, to inspire such passion. So, I clicked on the link and it took me to Marjorie Clayman‘s blog, “Social Media, Marketing and Musings,” and specifically to her Oct. 23 post titled, “A Blogging Hiatus Till We Get This Done.”

Before I knew it, I clicked through links to make a $12.00 donation to the Fugee Family!

The Fugee (as in refugee) Family unites children, who have survived war in countries all around the world, through the universal game of soccer. Coach Luma Mufleh has created a safe and structured environment for these children, based in sport, education, family and citizenship. There are expectations – a contract, in fact - of proper manners, attending practice, attended tutoring, attending school and appropriate dress and language. In the last five years, Coach Luma expanded the program’s offerings to include “year round soccer for 86 boys and girls ages 10-18, tutoring and after-school soccer for 50 elementary school children, a private academy serving 36 children and an academic enriching summer camp.”

What’s next for Coach Luma and the Fugee Family? That’s where your $12 gift comes in. (Of course, you can give even more, or donate items on this wish list.)

Coach Luma wants to do even more for these children. She wants to create a Fugee Village. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes money to build a village. I encourage you to learn more about the Fugees and then help Coach Luma’s dream become a reality.

I gave. I hope you will to. Imagine the possibilities!

At one point, Beane goes to the home of Scott Hatteberg, a player that all the other teams thought was washed up. Scotty used to be a catcher, but an elbow injury and surgery meant he couldn’t throw the baseball any more. But, what he could do was get on base. Here is generally how part of the conversation went:

Beane: I don’t care about your elbow. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve thrown your last ball from behind the plate. I want you at first.

Scotty: But, I’ve been a catcher my whole life.

Beane: Well, you aren’t anymore. Do you want to play for the Oakland Athletics? Then you’re going to play first base.

Scotty: But,

Beane: You don’t know how to play first base. Of course you don’t. We’re going to teach you. We are going to teach you.

I’m not giving away the rest of the movie by telling you that Scotty accepted the offer. He still wanted to play baseball. He struggled a lot at first. Even though Scotty had been playing the game since he was a kid and had been a good catcher, it was really hard to play well in a completely new position.

Guess what, though? He learned. He changed. Scotty became an adequate first baseman, but more importantly, scored a lot of runs. And, scoring runs is what helped the team win games.

I was so struck by this interaction that I pulled out a pad of paper and pen in the theater and scribbled as much as I could recall. What a great lesson for us all!

Things change. We are sometimes asked to take on new roles. New leadership may have a new way of playing the game. They might think that different things should be a priority. But in the end, if you can approach the game with an open mind, play to your strengths, trust the new vision, and come together as a team, chances are you’ll win the game.

In baseball or business.

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and hopefully, motivational. I hope you find some meaning in them.

The most important outcome, though, is the money raised to fight cancer.  Jimmy V’s inspirational speech at the ESPY Awards (Don’t give up, don’t ever give up), was the basis of the foundation’s vision.  Continuing that fight is what the Jimmy V Foundation is all about.  Since its founding in 1993, the foundation has raised over $100 million and awarded nearly 400 grants to the “brightest physicians and scientists as they pioneer techniques to make breakthroughs in cancer research.” -jimmyv.org

You probably know someone with cancer, perhaps even you have been diagnosed with cancer.  If you would like to support the research into the disease, and encourage the doctors and scientists to “never give up,” check out the auction or give directly to The V Foundation.  It is important to note that 100% of all new cash donations go directly to the research.  Every dollar helps.  Every dollar keeps the fight moving forward.

Note: Before giving money to any organization, it is a good idea to research how donations are used.  Click HERE for Charity Navigator’s review of The V Foundation.

Yes, for many of those young men, their lives may never be the same again.  Money, fame, opportunity, and perhaps even stardom could come their way.  For some, there could be challenge, risk, injury, and dreams lost. For most, it could be a few years of solid play and then they’ll move on to build a second career outside of football.

For none of them, however, was it “just like that.”

It started when they were just little boys.  Years of workouts, sweat, competition, commitment, pain, injuries, sprints, and agony brought them to this point. Many of them have spent time on crutches, soaked sore muscles in ice-filled tubs and rehabbed after surgeries. They endured hot summer two-a-days, off-season workout plans, dieting, playing in the rain, mud, snow, cold, and high winds.

They learned playbooks. They studied film. Some took ballet classes for balance and flexibility, some took yoga for focus, and some saw sports psychologists to get a mental edge.

I hope they remember all they have invested in their own success.  Only time will tell.

Image by pocketwiley, licensed through Flickr’s Creative Commons.

There are many stories of great leadership in the Yankees’ history; this time of year reminds me to share some them.  Joe McCarthy was the Yankees’ manager from 1931 to 1946.  He led the team to seven world championships and still holds the record for longest term as Yankees skipper. One of McCarthy’s many contributions was his list of “Ten Commandments for Success in Baseball,” later added to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  McCarthy identified these rules as central to the team’s success.

In 2005, Lance A. Berger took these rules and applied business definitions to them.  The following is a quote from his book, “Management Wisdom from the New York Yankees Dynasty.” 

Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball. Translation: Always be engaged in action and give your best to succeed.

You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder. Translation: If you don’t try, you can’t possibly succeed.

An outfielder who throws in back of the runner is locking the barn after the horse is stolen. Translation: Be proactive. Take action when opportunities are presented.

Keep your head up and you may not have to keep it down. Translation: Stay alert for opportunities and obstacles.

When you start to slide, slide. He who changes his mind may have to change a good leg for a bad one. Translation: Be decisive, follow through, and finish what you start.

Do not alibi on bad hops. Anybody can field the good ones. Translation: Accept your failures, especially in difficult situations; be modest with success.

Always run them out. You can never tell. Translation: Follow through on assignments even when a successful conclusion seems hazy. Expect to succeed even when success seems impossible.

Do not quit. No translation needed.

Do not fight too much with the umpires. Translation: Don’t waste your energy on things that cannot be changed or controlled.  Accept the decisions of those with authority and move on; decisions are made by human beings.

A pitcher who hasn’t control, hasn’t anything. Translation: Work at improving your professional skills; use discipline and focus on achieving your professional goals.

Have a great week and, “Let’s Go Yankees!”

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I have been sending to my leadership team for about five years.  They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and hopefully, motivational.  A co-worker recently suggested the Tuesday Tidbit was blog-worthy.  I hope you find some meaning in them.

Today’s link is to an article published on Forbes.com, combining two things I’m a big fan of; sports and leadership.  What lessons and skills can we take from sports teams and apply to business teams?  Several, according to author Mark de Rond.  Click HERE to read the full article, published August 5, 2010.

Newslink: Leadership features articles about the development and practice of leadership skills in today’s business world.

Edwards shared the following three pieces of advice for the young men to consider, if they aspire to be an NFL quarterback.  As I listened, I realized that it was really good advice for all young adults, not just football players.

“Don’t lose your passion. Always play like a kid.”  Edwards reminded the players of how Brett Favre plays the game; with as much passion and fun as he did when he was first starting out.

“Nothing good happens after midnight.”  The players all chuckled.  Edwards did, too, but then took a serious tone and told the players they all knew what he was talking about.

“You only need one of everything.”  Edwards told the players that after they sign their big NFL contract, they only need one car, one house, one piece of jewelry, and one girl; a girlfriend or one wife, but never both!

For anyone who is heading out on their own for the first time, or even adults who are finally able to enjoy a higher income than they had just starting out, Edwards’ advice is simple but, oh, so wise.

To hear Herman Edwards deliver the advice to the QBs, click HERE and watch the first two minutes of the video.  I really enjoy his enthusiasm!

If you could add one more piece of advice, what would it be?

My, my, how things have changed.

I don’t think anyone would debate that agreeing to participate in a one hour special to announce his next team was not a good move by LeBron James.  Yes, lots of money was raised for the Boys and Girls Club of America, which is admirable, but it does not excuse the poor judgment used in setting up the plan to begin with.  And, let’s not forget that Jim Gray – who devised the whole plan – and ESPN are just as much to blame as LeBron’s camp for the spectacle that was.

Worst of all, James chose to share the news with the world before telling the team he was leaving, the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Fans of the team feel betrayed, abandoned and once again publicly humiliated by one of their pro sports teams.  Dan Gilbert, the owner of the team, has behaved even worse then LeBron with his classless public rantings denouncing LeBron.  The entire situation was a mess.  As Mitch Albom stated on Sunday morning’s ESPN’s The Sports Reporters, “This is what happens when 25 year olds run the world.”

All that aside, what about the basketball career decision LeBron made?

LeBron James wants to win a championship.  He was close last year in Cleveland, but close isn’t quite the same thing, is it?  In Miami, circumstances evolved to allow him to play on the same team as other superstars in the game, Chris Bosh and Dewayne Wade.  D.Wade already is “the man” in Miami.  Bosh and James are coming in to a situation where they have to share the spotlight. James could be going from being the ”King” to being a just another member of the King’s court.  And, reportedly, all three players are taking pay cuts to make this happen within NBA salary rules.

Some people think this entire situation is all about LeBron’s ego.  In some respects, though, isn’t his ego being put aside in order to win?

All of us have the right to choose opportunities to advance our career, to achieve personal and professonal goals, to live and work where we want to, and to enjoy the benefits that come with hard work and success.  Why should it be any different for atheletes?  Why shouldn’t LeBron be able to play for Miami if that’s what he thinks gives him the best chance to win?  As Wade said on an ESPN interview Saturday, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

I hope it works out.

I hope that the “big three” in Miami are able to keep egos in check and show us all that the team comes first.  I also hope that if they can do that, that they win and show kids that team really is more important – and more rewarding – than individual glory.

I hope Cleveland fans will someday be able to regain their pride in the hometown guy who grew up to be an international superstar.  They should be proud to call him one of their own - admittedly, not right now, though.

I hope someone takes Dan Gilbert aside and tells him his behavior was also pretty bad.  From a management perspective, his public rantings, insults aimed at LeBron, and empty promises for future success demonstrate a lack of leadership skills.  LeBron is right in his comment that Gilbert “needs to look himself in the mirror and understand that what he may have done may have cost him in the long run.”

I hope that LeBron will be able to overcome the fallout of the choices he made in handling his departure.  Perhaps one day he’ll regain public admiration for his athletic skills, team orientation and humble character.  He has an uphill climb, but not an impossible one.

Then again, my husband has often told me that, once in a while, I need to remove my rose-colored glasses.