FIFA World Cup Soccer, Oils Spills, and the Secret

We talk a lot at Unity Business Systems about the concept of agility. The ability to have a flexible, proactive response in a dynamic state of flux. The ability to "turn on a dime" as opportunities or challenges present themselves. More than ever, we live in a world of uncertainty. Businesses that were behemoths yesterday are shells of their former selves today. The speed and deluge of information has accelerated our pace of life, and as such it has never been more evident that the concept of "status quo" or "holding your ground" is just not a reality anymore. Building a mote around your castle doesn't work. Today, it is clear that we are either moving forward or we are moving backwards. There is no in between. And as such, the job of leadership is to empower your organization to solve whatever problem, or take whatever opportunity that comes your way in the most expeditious and effective manner possible, and in a win-win way. It's about leveraging your people assets by giving them the tools and authority (within certain pre-determined governance boundaries...) they need to shine.

Watching World Cup Soccer over the last few days has really epitomized this idea for me. You have world-class talent, each with specific duties, operating within the boundaries of the field of play, governed by the rules, lead by a coach who sets the vision and who leverages his player assets; and these guys are just amazing. The way they move around the field, pass the ball, protect and assist their goaltenders, and orchestrate a winning corner-kick shot reflecting off the head of the incoming flanker to score the goal. This is magic. This is what a truly "agile" team is all about.

Contrast this to the terrible oil tragedy in the gulf. People with terrific ideas abound. But there is no empowerment. There is no coordination. There is no leadership. It appears to be more of an opportunity for finger pointing, political advancement and protecting one's backside, than a display of the character and resourcefulness that made our country great. Companies and organizations have operated like this in the past, but there is no room for this in the future. The competition is too strong. New ideas and technology are obsoleting old practices faster than we can keep up. To survive, and better yet to thrive going forward, we have got to all think like the soccer professionals, not the political professionals. This is the secret. True selfless leadership that empowers people to operate in the gifts that each of us has been given.

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