02.01.2010


   
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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What can you learn from
catchers, pitchers, and second basemen?    

More than you might think.

 

As of the summer of 2014, 312 people have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Among the honorees are twenty-two managers--arguably the most respected skippers in the history of Major League Baseball.

 

Now, here's where it gets compelling. Of the twenty-two Hall of Fame managers, fifteen--fully two-thirds of them--played catcher, pitcher, or second base before assuming the helm of a ball club:

 

Walter Alston (1B); Sparky Anderson (2B); Bobby Cox (3B); Leo Durocher (SS/2B); Rube Foster (P); Ned Hanlon (CF); Bucky Harris (2B); Miller Huggins (2B); Tony La Russa (IF); Tommy Lasorda (P); Al Lopez (C); Connie Mack (C); Joe McCarthy (2B); John McGraw (3B); Bill McKechnie (IF); Wilbert Robinson (C); Frank Selee (P); Billy Southworth (OF); Casey Stengel (OF); Joe Torre (C/1B/3B); Earl Weaver (2B).

 

Catchers, pitchers, second basemen: players who shared an imaginary line dissecting the infield--literally in the middle of the action. Catchers, pitchers, second basemen: players who, from the catbird seat, are tasked to direct the movements of their teammates on the field. Catchers, pitchers, second basemen: players who learned to lead between the lines before they were called to manage from the bench.

 

Similarly, scripture's Timothy--groomed to lead by the Apostle Paul--established his skills in the field before he was given a place of responsibility. Paul wrote of Timothy's "proven worth" to the first-century church at Philippi of Macedonia:

 

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth...(Philippians 2:19-24).

Whether in business, in ministry, or on the ball field, men and women do not assume a position of leadership in a responsible organization. "Hall of Fame" caliber leaders first develop and demonstrate the skill, character, and experience to lead; only then are they called to serve in positions of leadership.

 

 

What is your experience around leadership? Can you sense the difference between those who are desperate to be placed in a position of authority and those who have been groomed to lead?

 

Of the fifteen Hall of Fame managers listed above, only two or three might have made the Hall based upon their qualifications as a player. Why do stellar players rarely make good leaders? (You might find an idea in Paul's words to the Philippians, cited previously.)  

 

Consider the truth of this statement: "Great leaders are not those who bring out the best in themselves; great leaders are those who bring out the best in others."

 

Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241  
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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