On the Tunney Side of the Street #204, November 24, 2008
After Further Review … “You can get anything you want in life, if you just help others get what they want” has been a proverb followed by many. The idea of just “giving back” falls short of this. The practice of “giving” because you want to help others, says more than just “giving back.” Be a giver!
As we enjoy the blessings of Thanksgiving week, the need to continue our giving is important. This doesn’t necessarily mean increasing a monetary amount; it means, more likely, doing something for others to help make their Thanksgiving more enjoyable. It may be just a simple “act of kindness.”
Recently I was privileged to be in the presence of about three dozen NFL Legends – former players and (http://www.profootballhof.com/)Pro Football Hall of Famers (http://football.about.com/od/legends/Legends_of_the_Game.htm) : George Blanda, Nick Buoniconti, Ted Hendricks, Tom Mack, Bobby Mitchell, Merlin Olsen, Jan Stenerud, Jim Taylor, Dave Wilcox, and Jack Youngblood. Space prohibits me from naming so many others, but I’m sure you recognize these names. They were playing in a golf tournament that supports local charities, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County, donating their time and talents, yet receiving no appearance fees. (http://www.bgcmc.org/)
Special to that group was Anthony Muñoz, who received the NFL Legends Pedestal Award (http://www.nfl.com/history). Muñoz grew up in a low income family and neighborhood. His faith, family and sheer WILL (remember, It’s the Will, Not the Skill) helped him overcome setbacks, not the least of which were multiple injuries and three knee surgeries that almost ended his football career (http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=158).
Muñoz received a football scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he led the Trojans to a National Championship. After graduating, he was the 3rd overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals (http://www.nfl.com/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN) in the NFL draft. As a Bengals Offensive Tackle he played 11 years, including 2 Super Bowls, 11 consecutive Pro Bowls, and Hall of Fame induction in 1998, as well as many other honors. Muñoz’s belief in giving is as impressive as his football accomplishments.
As founder of the non-profit Anthony Muñoz Foundation(http://www.munozfoundation.org/) , he has impacted hundreds of youths mentally, physically and spiritually, and has raised more than $3 million to help young people. Muñoz continues his giving by serving on community boards and speaking to youth groups discouraging the use of drugs and alcohol. While we read too often about the troubles that pro athletes get themselves into, it is refreshing and encouraging to see so many willing to help others. Thanks guys!
Will you give to others in need this Thanksgiving time?
For more information about Jim Tunney, please visit his website:
www.JimTunney.com, or if you would like to respond to this message, please send your email to Jim@JimTunney.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
On The Tunney Side of the Street #203, Nov. 17, 2008 (www.JimTunney.com)
After Further Review ... The value of Teamwork along with how it works has often been discussed in this column. The acronym T.E.A.M., meaning Together Everyone Accomplishes More, has been part of every presentation I have given for more than two decades.
President-Elect Obama stressed Teamwork in his campaign emphasizing that anyone in a leadership role must utilize the T.E.A.M. concept in order to achieve a higher level. A leader who surrounds him or herself with competent people, and then lets them accomplish their tasks and/or responsibilities increases the strength of that leader. (https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08splashnd)
It takes courage to lead, but it also takes courage to trust in the efforts of your T.E.A.M. Too often we see leaders not willing to delegate responsibilities fearful of losing power. The power that works best is what I call “personal power” - not position power.
An example of personal power happened on national television recently when the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns in an NFL Network Thursday night game. Many NFL fans may not have seen this contest, because it was not accessible on cable or network television. (http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork)
The Broncos trailed the Browns 23-13 in the third quarter, yet rallied to win 34-30, scoring the go ahead touchdown with 1:17 left in the game. That final touchdown pass from Broncos QB Jay Cutler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Cutler_(American_football) to WR Brandon Marshall (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7868%20was the game winner. (http://www.denverbroncos.com/) (http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/)
Marshall was about to “celebrate” his TD catch by displaying a glove that he had hidden inside his football pants. The glove was painted half-white and half-black to demonstrate the “unity” Marshall felt was exhibited by Obama’s victory. While Marshall’s tribute was honorable, NFL rules prohibit “possession or use of foreign or extraneous object(s) that are not part of the uniform, etc.” (See NFL Rule Book page 83, 12-3-1-(h)). WR Terrell Owens was responsible for this inclusion as unsportsmanlike some years back, when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. (http://www.nfl.com/rulebook) (http://www.49ers.com/home.php)
As Marshall prepared to pull out the glove -- teamwork happened! Broncos teammate Brandon Stokley (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4755) rushed to Marshall and in a matter of seconds, talked Marshall out of it. “Stokes” was aware that if Marshall displayed the glove, a foul could be called, resulting in a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff – meaning the Broncos would have to kickoff from their 15-yard line. This would give the Browns, trailing by 4 points, a favorable field position with more than one minute left in the game. “Stokes” showed the kind of teamwork that puts T.E.A.M. ahead of self. (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/11/07/brandon-stokely-stops-brandon-marshall-from-performing-an-obama/)
Will you have the courage to “step up” to help your teammates for the good of your T.E.A.M?
President-Elect Obama stressed Teamwork in his campaign emphasizing that anyone in a leadership role must utilize the T.E.A.M. concept in order to achieve a higher level. A leader who surrounds him or herself with competent people, and then lets them accomplish their tasks and/or responsibilities increases the strength of that leader. (https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08splashnd)
It takes courage to lead, but it also takes courage to trust in the efforts of your T.E.A.M. Too often we see leaders not willing to delegate responsibilities fearful of losing power. The power that works best is what I call “personal power” - not position power.
An example of personal power happened on national television recently when the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns in an NFL Network Thursday night game. Many NFL fans may not have seen this contest, because it was not accessible on cable or network television. (http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork)
The Broncos trailed the Browns 23-13 in the third quarter, yet rallied to win 34-30, scoring the go ahead touchdown with 1:17 left in the game. That final touchdown pass from Broncos QB Jay Cutler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Cutler_(American_football) to WR Brandon Marshall (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7868%20was the game winner. (http://www.denverbroncos.com/) (http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/)
Marshall was about to “celebrate” his TD catch by displaying a glove that he had hidden inside his football pants. The glove was painted half-white and half-black to demonstrate the “unity” Marshall felt was exhibited by Obama’s victory. While Marshall’s tribute was honorable, NFL rules prohibit “possession or use of foreign or extraneous object(s) that are not part of the uniform, etc.” (See NFL Rule Book page 83, 12-3-1-(h)). WR Terrell Owens was responsible for this inclusion as unsportsmanlike some years back, when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. (http://www.nfl.com/rulebook) (http://www.49ers.com/home.php)
As Marshall prepared to pull out the glove -- teamwork happened! Broncos teammate Brandon Stokley (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4755) rushed to Marshall and in a matter of seconds, talked Marshall out of it. “Stokes” was aware that if Marshall displayed the glove, a foul could be called, resulting in a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff – meaning the Broncos would have to kickoff from their 15-yard line. This would give the Browns, trailing by 4 points, a favorable field position with more than one minute left in the game. “Stokes” showed the kind of teamwork that puts T.E.A.M. ahead of self. (http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/11/07/brandon-stokely-stops-brandon-marshall-from-performing-an-obama/)
Will you have the courage to “step up” to help your teammates for the good of your T.E.A.M?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
On The Tunney Side of the Street #201, Nov. 3, 2008 (www.JimTunney.com)
“Bum” Phillips, former NFL head football coach of the Houston Oilers once said, “There are two kinds of head coaches; those that have been fired and those that are ABOUT to be fired.” Each year the month of October seems to bring realism to Phillips’ statement. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bum_Phillips)
After the St. Louis Rams went 0-4 to start the 2008 NFL season, management fired head coach Scott Linehan, replacing him with interim head coach Jim Haslett (http://www.stlouisrams.com/Team/Coaches/52977/). Haslett was on Linehan’s staff as the defensive coordinator, as well being as a former All-Pro Linebacker on the Buffalo Bills and former (he was fired) head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Haslett was promised the permanent job, if the Rams won 6 of their remaining games. (http://www.stlouisrams.com/)
The San Francisco 49ers (http://www.49ers.com/home.php) fired head coach Mike Nolan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nolan), in October, in his third year as head coach. The Niners were 2-5 after losing to the world champion New York Giants the weekend before Nolan’s termination. The Niners replaced Nolan with defensive coordinator Mike Singletary - as interim coach. Singletary had never been a head coach, but was a Hall of Fame (’98) Linebacker for the Super Bowl (XX) champs Chicago Bears. (http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=196) At this writing, Haslett has gone 2-1, while Singletary lost his first game as head coach. I know both coaches personally and have great respect for their character, talent and leadership strengths.
What makes these changes interesting is the “Rooney Rule.” Dan Rooney (http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=184), Chairman of the NFL Owners’ Committee on ”diversity hiring,” urged the owners to create a rule whereby a club (team) must interview qualified minority coaches in the process of selecting a new head coach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooney_Rule) . If you were the Rams, what would you do in hiring a head coach, interview all qualified candidates, yet feeling that, since Haslett (a non-minority) has done the job you asked of him, Haslett can’t be your automatic pick?
Singletary, an African-American, was not offered anything beyond this 2008 season. However, since Singletary is a minority, the Niners (as I interpret the Rooney Rule) could offer Singletary the job in 2009 WITHOUT interviewing other qualified candidates. What about Ron Rivera, a Hispanic, newly named San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator? (http://www.chargers.com/team/coaches/ron-rivera.htm) Rivera wants to interview for an NFL head coaching job. The Rams have to interview him, if he wants to -- the Niners don’t.
Diversity, as written in It’s the Will, Not the Skill (see chapter 9), is important. Diversity, however, without unity is of little value. Coach Herm Edwards (http://www.kcchiefs.com/coach/herman_edwards/) has followed the path, “Just show me an opportunity; I’ll work for it!”
Will you honor qualifications as well as diversity when offering jobs to candidates?
After the St. Louis Rams went 0-4 to start the 2008 NFL season, management fired head coach Scott Linehan, replacing him with interim head coach Jim Haslett (http://www.stlouisrams.com/Team/Coaches/52977/). Haslett was on Linehan’s staff as the defensive coordinator, as well being as a former All-Pro Linebacker on the Buffalo Bills and former (he was fired) head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Haslett was promised the permanent job, if the Rams won 6 of their remaining games. (http://www.stlouisrams.com/)
The San Francisco 49ers (http://www.49ers.com/home.php) fired head coach Mike Nolan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nolan), in October, in his third year as head coach. The Niners were 2-5 after losing to the world champion New York Giants the weekend before Nolan’s termination. The Niners replaced Nolan with defensive coordinator Mike Singletary - as interim coach. Singletary had never been a head coach, but was a Hall of Fame (’98) Linebacker for the Super Bowl (XX) champs Chicago Bears. (http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=196) At this writing, Haslett has gone 2-1, while Singletary lost his first game as head coach. I know both coaches personally and have great respect for their character, talent and leadership strengths.
What makes these changes interesting is the “Rooney Rule.” Dan Rooney (http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=184), Chairman of the NFL Owners’ Committee on ”diversity hiring,” urged the owners to create a rule whereby a club (team) must interview qualified minority coaches in the process of selecting a new head coach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooney_Rule) . If you were the Rams, what would you do in hiring a head coach, interview all qualified candidates, yet feeling that, since Haslett (a non-minority) has done the job you asked of him, Haslett can’t be your automatic pick?
Singletary, an African-American, was not offered anything beyond this 2008 season. However, since Singletary is a minority, the Niners (as I interpret the Rooney Rule) could offer Singletary the job in 2009 WITHOUT interviewing other qualified candidates. What about Ron Rivera, a Hispanic, newly named San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator? (http://www.chargers.com/team/coaches/ron-rivera.htm) Rivera wants to interview for an NFL head coaching job. The Rams have to interview him, if he wants to -- the Niners don’t.
Diversity, as written in It’s the Will, Not the Skill (see chapter 9), is important. Diversity, however, without unity is of little value. Coach Herm Edwards (http://www.kcchiefs.com/coach/herman_edwards/) has followed the path, “Just show me an opportunity; I’ll work for it!”
Will you honor qualifications as well as diversity when offering jobs to candidates?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
