Change At The Top

Change at the Top

The media calls it “Black Monday,” the first Monday after the NFL season, when the firing of coaches begins. For weeks or even months leading up to this Monday, the pundits begin to ask the question, “Who is on the hot seat this season?” Speculation begins, and then that day arrives. If a coach who was on the proverbial “hot seat” survives, you can rest assured that he has made many changes to his coaching staff on offense, defense, and special teams.

When an owner makes a change at the top of the organization, it is because he or she feels that there is a culture shift that has to be made. Fully aware of the coach’s abilities, the owner chooses this change because in this environment, with these players, he or she doesn’t see a way forward.

Owners set the culture of the environment by establishing values, defining what a win looks like, and setting goals toward that win. Then the owner works to establish buy-in from the team’s coaches. His or her expectation is that the coaches would work to get this buy-in from their players.

Oftentimes in life, leaders, like team owners, can only take their teams so far, and then a change is needed for both the team and the leader. Even Moses could only lead Israel so far before it was Joshua’s turn. Deuteronomy 34:4 states, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.’”

As the leader, remember, you are only going to take your people so far. Then there will be a day when the next leader is selected. Make the most of your journey, but hold on to your role loosely.

The LORD said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”

Deuteronomy 34:4