“What you see is either taught or allowed.”
A simple phrase that has stuck with me. I first heard it from a varsity football coach who hired me as a head 8th grade football coach. The point behind this statement is pretty powerful:
As a coach, whatever product I saw on the field was the result of what had been taught or allowed. If my players lacked discipline, it was because it was either taught or allowed by me or my staff. If my team looked unorganized, or disinterested, it’s because it was either taught or allowed. In football, this is why fundamentals, organization and discipline are so essential for success. In short, this statement is a great teaching point for leadership of any kind.
Think about this statement in these environments:
1. Parenting — as a young father, I know that it is vitally important that I model and mold the behavior I want to see my kids live out. If I see a behavior in my children that I do not want, I have a choice to make: will I correct it or allow it? Sometimes, it’s tempting to take the easy way out and allow the behavior therefore avoiding conflict and a temper tantrum. But, if I do not want to see the behavior repeated, I have to deal with it — even if the experience is unpleasant or difficult. If I want my children to grow up as compassionate, loving polite kids who model Christ, then I have to put the effort into teaching and modeling that behavior every opportunity I get.
2. Leading a team — this same principle applies to managing and leading a team. Think about it, if you were hired to lead a group of people, the production or output of the team should be of highest priority. So, a team leader must put a lot of time and energy into encouraging, motivating and inspiring their team to live out the leader’s vision for the team. It is also essential for the team leader teach AND model the desired behavior or production. Again, it’s often tempting to avoid conflict and let little lapses in excellence occur — but again, the end result is the principle were talking about: as a leader you may see a product or a behavior that you don’t like, but the problem is that you as a leader have allowed it by your desire to not address or correct it.
I think this is a great principle for us as Christians to live out. May we as parents, educators, ministers, coaches, professionals, community leaders etc. live this concept out and shoot for excellence in our world.
