Doug Cartland's Four-Minute Leadership Advisory
Gestures                
by Doug Cartland
Doug Cartland, Inc.
01/27/2015

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Ryan Pace was named the new general manager of the Chicago Bears a few weeks ago.

 

The thirty-seven year old wunderkind, poached from the offices of the New Orleans Saints, had to, first and foremost, find and hire a head football coach.

 

John Fox had been the successful coach of the Denver Broncos for four years when he and the team parted ways in a "mutual" agreement.

 

Pace pounced. Within two days Fox came to Chicago for an interview. That night he flew back to Denver.

 

Next day Pace and his wife flew to Denver for a more informal interview with Fox and his wife.

 

Somewhere during all of those myriad of conversations, Pace and Fox agreed that Fox would be the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.

 

The day after, Pace and Fox were to board a plane back to Chicago to make things official.

 

Pace had one first class ticket and one ticket in coach.

 

Hmm...what to do...

 

Pace, the general manger, Fox's boss, the entitled one, gave the first class ticket to Fox and meandered back to coach.

 

Ok, I'll stop short of calling this move heroic. It's not like Pace gave his last morsel of bread to a homeless man.

 

However, this was a highly significant gesture.

 

A leader less secure would have wanted to make a statement by keeping the first class ticket himself. You know, make sure everyone, especially the new hire, knew who the boss was. This could have been a not so subtle confirmation of his entitlement.

 

Insecure leaders are the worst leaders. Constantly needing to prove themselves and demonstrate their strength rather than simply lead as the situation warrants, they grip hard to power, garnish the rewards, share little responsibility and even less credit. Call it the Napoleon complex if you will.  Indeed, the Napoleon complex can come in any shape, size or gender.

 

Only secure leaders can be generous.  Let me write it again, this time in fancy italics: Only secure leaders can be generous. 

 

Pace is obviously comfortable in his own skin. He doesn't need to prove his dominance or manufacture ways to confirm his control. He understands that real authority doesn't come from where one sits, but from the quality of ones decision making.

 

He was secure enough in himself to show deference and respect to someone who works for him.

 

Of course, what he'll get from Fox is respect and loyalty in return.

 

Nice play.

 

I don't know if Ryan Pace will be a successful general manager. I don't know if Fox will prove to be the best choice for head coach. Time will tell.

 

But if this one gesture is indicative of who Pace is and how he intends to lead, then I'd say Pace has a better than average chance.

 

And I'll bet Pace thought he was simply giving Fox the better seat on a plane.

 

There will be no newsletter next week, as I will be in a very warm climate enjoying some sun. See you in two weeks!

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Sincerely,  

Doug

 

Doug Cartland, President
Doug Cartland, Inc.

 

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