Black In Business

OK, I was wrong about the Colts and Manning. I was wrong about Da Bears and controling the tempo of the game and winning 28-14. Chris and Doug, congratulations on your victory. I know you guys did not play in the game but you are a part of the team. I have Marvin Gaye playing, “gotta to give it up” and it is wind chill temperture of F -25. Cold, so how do I learn from our Super Bowl loss and aply it to an important business concept like managing change?

Let’s pretend we are black in business and want to lead a major change in our companies. It could be changing product strategies, territories changes, selling a business, reducing headcount. Business is all about change and as the leaders we must manage it.

Step 1

Establish a goal. Coach Dungy was fired in Tampa and his successor won the Super Bowl the first year Dungy left. The prior coach in Indy, had a meldown facing the media and said ” Playoffs, your asking playoffs, this team will be lucky to win another game. Coach Dungy went to Indy for 2 reasons, big money and to win a super bowl. He spoke of it his first day on the job. Everybody on his team, In the city, and the entire league knew the goal. Dungy’s legacy would be defined by his ability to deliver the Lombardi trophy to the Hoosier state.

In business, as the leader we must do the same and be committed to the change We must remind ourselfs and people of the goal and our personal stake in the achievement of this goal.

OK, how about Coach Smith. Chicago is a city with a complex. It is in the midwest and referred to as second city. Every one knows the action is in New York and LA. I am a native of upstate New York but I love Chicago. New York is the best city in the world and LA has the weather thing, but Chicago is a great town. Saying all that to say this; Chicago sport writers try to be tough. They think because that how New York writers are. They are for the most part unfair and unreasonable.

The Bears settled for Coach Smith, he was their 3rd choice, the Chicago media wanted a big name coach. The city of broad shoulders, ended up with a black coach named Lovie! His first time in front of the big city Chicago media, remember, complex, trying to be like NYC, unfair and unreasonable, was memorable.

What did Lovie do? He hit them with 3 goals; beat Green Bay, win the NFC north, and the Super Bowl. The media jumped in with, he dose not know what he is in for. They doubted his ability to lead this team to the 3 goals. After yesterday, he is 2 of 3.Once again, the team, city and NFL knew Lovie’s goals.

Sell key people on the goal, make them want and understand your goal.

That is right leaders, you need help and credibility to sell your message. You want top employees to understand why, In foolball, the superbowl is the utlimate contest. You want them to understand the benefits of winning. We all get richer and go down in history.

As a black in business leader, your job is to grow your business and keep the company strong and more valuable. Often times our employees want job sercurity, money and  to be recognized as an employee of value.

So who did coaches Dungy and Smith pick to be on the same page as them? This one is easy.Peyton Manning and Brain Urlacher. They are both the faces of the team,super stars, and for the black coachers, added credibility is there because they are both white. There it is, controversy. How can I say that? Isn’t  that racist?

As a black leader with a mixed team, the brothers and sisters, for the most part had my back. People expect this and it was very important for them be on page and understand why this change is good. But real life, when it comes to strategy, many white folks  question our ability to think. A key to change management is to understand the company culture and politics. For me having key whites arm and arm with the brothers and sisters made me more credible and it has done the same for Smith and Dungy.

As you get feedback. do not be married to your goal or strategy and be too lock in to adjust. If can admit as leader, you missed something and someone has a better idea, your team will notice. They will be even more committed to you and the goal.

Monitor results and be visible with results. In the NFL they keep score and standings. We must to the same so every one understands the results.

Communicate frequently to remind of goal, benefit to company and workers, also let the team what you their leader and the company are doing to help reach this goal.

Celebrate milestones and victories, make it exciting and fun In the Sports the celebration is frequent and ongoing, we must make business the same.

Before I forget, have a cool name for your mission. ” Super Bowl” is a fun one.

I think, I have covered it but I would love to have all you change agents, either pick this apart or let us know with comments how you go about change.