The Wrong Play

It was one of his first public appearances in his new role. He’d been named to head up the regional office of a national not-for-profit organization, with a focus on social services and urban policy.

His audience was made up of members of a national service organization. He’d been a member since college. Before him was an array of local community, business and political leaders; people who could be critical to his success in his new position.

He decided to start with an ice breaker. He was in a city of rabid sports fans and his speaking engagement came during the overlap between the height of the NFL season and the beginning of the NBA season. And he had a special connection. His first career was in major league sports, including playing for a team that won a division championship.

After the obligatory “It’s so good to be here….I’m excited about my new position…” he reached into his pocket and pulled out his division championship ring. “Thought I’d show you something that folks around here never get to see…an NFL championship ring!”

He laughed heartily as the audience collectively sucked in a deep breath. Then a smattering of “boos” circulated around the ballroom.

Did I mention that the speaker had played for the main NFL team rivals of his hosts?

I wish I could write that the speaker recovered and managed to connect with his audience during the balance of his remarks. Alas, that was not the case. His speech included multiple references to his previous successes, and his vision for his new job. No acknowledgement of any learning curve. No openings for buy-in among the people in the room.

You don’t have to be a coach to see the path to the goalpost just got a lot longer and a lot harder for this leader. And to realize that effective leadership requires more than a vision and a willingness to charge ahead.