Lack of Success Formula: Gigantic Egos + Outdated Tactics = Losers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 Pioli and Haley need to earn their stripes with today's players, and the outdated management tactics of the 70s will not work with them.

Outdated tactics will not motivate or unify a team today.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)