Time for a new coach

This humorous story underscores the importance of effective leadership: During a sales meeting, the manager was berating the sales staff for their dismally low sales figures. “I’ve had just about enough of poor performance and excuses,” he said. “If you can’t do the job, perhaps there are other sales people out there who would jump at the chance to sell the worthy products that each of you has the privilege to represent.” Then, pointing to a newly recruited, retired pro-football player, he said, “If a football team isn’t winning, what happens? The players are replaced. Right?”

The question hung heavy for a few seconds; then the ex-football player answered, “Actually, sir, if the whole team was having trouble, we usually got a new coach.”2

2 2. Contributed by Doug Lysen, Reader’s Digest, February 1989.

Maxwell, John C.: Developing the Leader Within You. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999, c1993