Now That Takes Guts!

With a beaming smile on her face, Dana Maguire crossed the finish line of Kansas City's recent marathon in 1,560th place. There were 1,560 entrants. She was last.

As a friend told her, “Dead-last finish is better than did not finish, which greatly trumps did not start.”

What were you doing October 17, 2009 from 7am until 2pm? Dana may have been dead last, but others did not finish, and another 1.5 million Kansas Citians did not start.

Dana clocked in at 6 hours, 59 minutes and 14 seconds. She told a Kansas City Star reporter that during the race she doubted herself and cried but never considered quitting. She knew early on that she would be last, but she knew she could do it.

Dana found out what she's made of during the marathon. And, she has guts! For her beaming smile, perseverance, and ability to stare quitting in the face and not do it, Dana is this week's worthwhile Gut Check! Way to go, Dana!

(For the story in the Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1524835.html)

Now That Takes Guts!

Sometimes having guts is stupid and gets unwanted attention, as it has this week for a USC football player.

The player is using finger gestures he wouldn't use to greet his grandma as fans from the opposing team take pictures before the game. The same player gave the same gestures throughout the game to the student section of the opposing fans. A teammate last year make a grossly offensive gesture behind a female sports reporter. A few years ago, a player from the same team was arrested for battery.

It takes guts to behave that way. It takes guts to allow a team culture in which such behavior happens often. Often. Not infrequently. Often.

The photo made its way around the internet, and since it did, the team's coach had to address the issue. The player said he learned his lesson after the coach spoke to the team:

"Just don't be stupid anymore," he said. "Everyone's always watching and
one little thing can be blown up." (SOURCE: Los Angeles Times)

One little thing?! Clearly, he missed the point. Or, perhaps the right point was not delivered by the coach in the first place.

When a USC band member spewed obscenities at an opposing player during the game, the band director admonished the band member directly and immediately. Meanwhile, the team's head coach seemed annoyed that his player got caught. Maybe he does not get the point either.

Is the point that one should not behave that way or that it is okay if you do not get caught? It takes guts to foster a culture in which the behavior is tolerated, perhaps even celebrated.

Some day that team is going to get caught for the culture it lives by. It will be interesting to see what they are made of when that happens.

Now That Takes Guts!

Would you be able to complete a cross-country journey, starting at the Santa Monica Harbor and ending in New York City, in one week with just a backpack and $50?

Dave Price, of CBS's Early Show, did just that. There were strict parameters put on the trip including, he had to work for every penny earned. It was the ultimate reality of reality television.

His journey ended this morning, and he was on time. Now, that took guts!

What struck me most about Prices' journey, however, was his on-air update yesterday. He introduced America to a woman who was down on her luck, to say the least, and shared part of the journey with him. Price cried unapologetically on-air while talking about the woman and his journey. When his co-hosts commented about the tears, Price spoke of the journey meaning more to him than he expected. He spoke of the kindness of strangers.

Price returned to New York City this morning with about an hour to spare.

Dave said, "This was a strange, unintended gift, and it's not like I didn't appreciate America before. ... It's really a privilege to stop (and meet) all those people who make up the country." The challenge ultimately turned into "a week of personal growth" for Price. "It was a pleasure to do; it was a joy," he said. "Would I do it again? In a second." (SOURCE: www.cbsnews.com)

You may not take the same risk, but what could you risk in the hope of finding the reward Dave found? Dave Price took a chance. And, it took guts! He says he would do it again. Now, that really takes guts!

(Link to the story on CBSNews.com: http://bit.ly/jmFFU)

Lack of Success Formula: Gigantic Egos + Outdated Tactics = Losers

"It’s no secret in Kansas City or across the league. The No. 1 character trait/flaw driving the Chiefs organization right now is ego." Jason Whitlock, sports columnist for the Kansas City Star, reports about the Chief's GM (Scott Pioli) and coach (Todd Haley).

Whitlock has been harping on the egos of the Chiefs leaders for years, but this week, he was backed up by one of the key players on the team: Larry Johnson. When asked why the team lost its fourth game of the year, out of four played, Johnson's one-word reply was, "Ego."

As an expert and student of leadership, it is easy to see Pioli and Haley's egos are out of control. Three key factors come to mind:

First, Pioli and Haley are using tactics learned from previous bosses, Belichick and Parcells, who are known for intimidation, fear, and egos. Unfortunately for Pioli and Haley, football coaching is not a cookie-cutter job. The exact personality, ego, hoodie, and tactics of one man will not work for a different man. What works for one will not work for all.

Second, the difference between Pioli/Haley and Belichick/Parcells is that the two championship-winning coaches became fear mongers AFTER winning games, after success. They were not like that climbing up the coaching tree. Pioli and Haley have won nothing. Not one game. They are losers. They have not earned the right to have gigantic egos.

Third, Belichick and Parcells learned coaching methods which built their reputations thirty years ago. Since they have won championships, their tactics are tolerated by today's young players. Players are different today than thirty years ago, however, and unless you can back up your tactics with championships, you better adapt to what works for today's players. As with other leaders, the leaders of the Chiefs need to recognize and adapt to the differences in generations. Pioli and Haley need to earn their stripes with today's players, and the outdated management tactics of the 70s will not work with them.

Outdated tactics will not motivate or unify a team today. Until Pioli and Haley face the fact that they are not Belichick and Parcells...until they get their egos under control...until they earn respect of today's players...until they prove their tactics work by winning a game--even one!...the Chiefs will continue their permanent residence in the cellar of football.

Perhaps residing NFL rankings cellar will be the ego check needed to bring a formula for success to the Chiefs organization.


(Lest anyone think I see Jason Whitlock as the consummate emotionally intelligent professional, know that I know his ego is gigantic. Probably bigger than anyone else mentioned in the blog, but , he's not leading a team or inspiring people. He works on his own as a columnist. And, he knows his ego is gigantic. For Jason Whitlock's column in the Kansas City Star: http://bit.ly/nnWEz)