When I was growing up my hero was Tom Seaver.
A rookie on a truly terrible 1967 Mets team, Mr. Seaver was a serious, hard-working professional, dedicated to the craft of pitching - and determined not to let the long-standing defeatist attitude of his teammates change the way he went about his business. I was just fourteen and devoured every piece of information I could find on the Mets' new pitching sensation. When the games were broadcast on Chanel Nine I watched Seaver perform. Watched him as he handled pressure-packed situations. Observed how he reacted to a teammate's crucial error on an easy play (which happened quite often). Watched his demeanor on the pitching mound. And watched and listened to him when he appeared on Kiner's Korner to discuss that game specifically (and pitching in general). A very articulate and serious young man.Tom Seaver was not the manager of the Mets. he was just twenty-two in 1967...no major league experience. But in a very short time he became "The Franchise"...a real leader. Gil Hodges came in as the manager the following year and together these men changed the culture of the Mets. They had their say - and then "walked the talk" - they lead by example. And the Mets won the World Series just two years later.
I thought about Seaver and Hodges this morning and thought about why leaders in America seem to be a dying breed. My Dad was asleep in his room in the nursing home. He is miserable there. I have reminded the staff to talk into his good ear, to explain what they are doing, to treat him gently and with respect, to place pillows behind his body when he is sitting in that uncomfortable wheel chair...I have reminded them more times than I can say. Instead I get the "look". I know my job - leave me alone.
Discussing - or attempting to discuss - problems with nursing home management yields a similar reaction. I get the management version of the "look" - I'm very busy, why are you bothering me? or: We have a large staff, we can't watch everything they do. Finally: we do a great job here - if you don't like it, take your father somewhere else. (It should be noted here that we are trying to place him somewhere else - except that other facilities are even worse.) Leadership by example? The staff gets their clue from those in position of authority. And that is why their eyes roll - and I wind up on the receiving end of the "look".
When leaders don't lead...
The "leadership" issue is closely related to the "responsibility" issue (discussed in a prior post). What is going on in the nursing home mirrors American society-at-large. People in charge regularly abrogate their responsibility to lead. Sometimes with unfortunate results.
Want recent examples?
Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, suspends players for participating in a "bounty" program - i.e.. a program which rewarded those players for inflicting bodily harm on creation opposing players (thereby driving them off the field. Whatever his motivation (his actions may be lawsuit related) Goodell takes the tough stance. He's leading. Trying to protect the players. Fine. But the head of the NFL Player's Union is outraged by Goodell's punishment. Threatening additional legal action. Ignoring the physical needs of the majority of union members.
Failing to lead. Strike one!
(Similarly, during the baseball steroids debate the Major League player's union fought management every step of the way - protected the few instead of looking out for the welfare of its membership. What is it about sports unions?)
Mitt Romney and company. Expressing outrage when the President mentions the Bin Laden mission when listing the accomplishments of his administration. Yeah so? Who wouldn't? This is an American accomplishment - something the country could unite upon (and a little American unity is desperately needed). Yet Romney and company fail to get in front on this one - take the high road. Recognize the accomplishment, move on - hey Mr. President, what about the economy? Mr. Romney...you want to be a leader? Lead. It's OK to applaud the good work of a political opponent if the accolade is deserved. No...we disagree on other important points so let's shout the guy down, drown out the "accomplishment".
Or...Chris Christie, New Jersey Governor. Criticizing the NYPD surveillance of mosques in Newark. Pandering. Chris Panderer. It's not even worth the effort to explain why the surveillance is necessary. The issue is that the Governor could not put politics above principle. America 2012. And a very real opportunity to lead by example...not taken.
Failing to lead...strike two!
Here's another good example...hop onto the F train (or any subway train) one afternoon. The air will be polluted by the stench of the four-letter-word. The atmosphere becomes sordid. Uncomfortable. This is the only way that people can communicate? Yet - not one person in public life condemns this behavior. To the contrary - there have been numerous reports of people in public life crossing the line and cursing at one another - almost as if they knew the "sound bite" would certainly help to splash their names and faces across the internet.
Finally...it was reported today that the new high tech New York City 911 system had numerous problems, people have died due to the system's inability to function properly. The result: a plethora of City Hall
apologists flooding the media with excuses. Where's the Mayor - whom I respect - to stand up, say this is inexcusable, that it happened on his watch - and exert his considerable powers to solve the problems for good now. (I am not going to hold my breath...)
There's a good reason why when I go to the gym I always seek out lockers numbered 41. Tom Seaver's number. The man was a leader.
In my adult life - I am still waiting for one.
In 1968 Simon and Garfunkel had a hit song entitled "Mrs. Robinson" where Paul Simon - older than myself - mourns the fact that the nation is without Joe DiMaggio:
"Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?
Our nation turns its' lonely eyes to you
What's that you say Mrs. Robinson?
Jolting Joe has left and gone away..."
I am afraid to say we are still waiting. Boomers turn at the plate. Full count.
Failing to lead...Strike three?
See you all soon...till then,
Stevenn
No comments:
Post a Comment