Living in the Upper Midwest and in North Dakota in particular, there are not a lot of professional sports teams to choose from to cheer for. As a result the majority of people in my home state cheer for Minnesota's professional sports teams - the Vikings (football), Twins (baseball), Timberwolves (basketball) and the Wild (hockey).
While I am not an avid football fan, I have always considered the Minnesota Vikings to be "my" professional football team.
If you ask anyone what it's like to be a Vikings fan, they will likely tell you that it isn't always easy. This season has been no exception. Despite being 3-4 on the season and in the thick of things in the NFC's Northern Division, the 2008 season has been full of trials, tribulations, and disappointments for the Vikings and their fans.
The focal point for much of the Vikings struggles has been centered around its head coach Brad Childress who, now in his third season as head coach, hasn't been able to get things to click for a very talented Vikings team and has a fan approval rating of only 13%. Displeasure with Childress' coaching style and leadership has become especially vocal as of late as fans were heard cheering "Fire Childress, Fire Childress" at a home game against the Detroit Lions two weeks ago in spite of a Vikings' victory over the winless Detroit Lions.
Last night I tuned into the local news and waited patiently for coverage of the regular day-after press conference with Vikings head coach Brad Childress. Given the Vikings' loss to the Chicago Bears (despite scoring 41 points) and coach Childress' lack of job security I expected to see the "blame game" on full display amid ever increasing cries for Childress' termination.
Instead what I witnessed was a shocking display of personal accountability. Rather than blame others for mistakes made on the field - and there were certainly many - Childress took full responsibility for the Vikings' loss and their disappointing season.
"There is no one in this building who is happy with the standard we are playing at right now.... Ultimately it all comes back to be. I'm not going to blame the loss on any other coach or player. I'm the one with the wins and losses behind my record. It's not the special teams guys... it always comes back to me with wins and losses."
What I heard was so far from what I had expected to hear that I actually had to hit rewind on my DVR to make sure I wasn't mistaken.
I wasn't. Here is a guy who most NFL "gurus" will tell you won't have a head coaching job next season actually standing up and taking full responsibility for his team's loss the day before and their disappointing performance so far this season. With all the blame that could have been dished up after the disappointing 41-48 loss, Childress took the heat and essentially said, "The buck stops here."
I couldn't help but wonder if Brad Childress had read John Miller's book - QBQ! The Question Behind the Question - on the short plane ride home from Chicago.
While the remainder of the Vikings' season is still very much in question, I must say that I have hope for the Purple and Gold if for no other reason than Brad Childress' courageous display of personal accountability in the face of such adversity. It took guts and that is what the Vikings need right now.
What is the leadership culture like in your organization? Is there a "the buck stops here" mentality of personal accountability or does the "blame game" rule the roost when challenges and disappointments strike?
If your organization's culture is characterized by blame, procrastination, and victim thinking I strongly recommend that you purchase John Miller's landmark book on personal accountability - QBQ! The Question Behind the Question. It has changed my life and I promise it will change the way you look at yours!
Now Go Maximize Possibility!
Other posts that will be of interest to you...
- Leadership and Personal Accountability During an Organizational Crisis
- Eight Ways To Improve Employee Morale
- Who are You Really Pointing the Finger at? An Exercise in Personal Accountability
- Organizational Change Begins with Personal Accountability
- Five Signs that Personal Accountability Isn't a Core Cultural Value
- Personal Accountability Training - The One Training Program You Need In A Down Economy
Chris Young helps organizations Maximize Possibility through talent management, cultural transformation, and strategic intervention. Bring Chris in today!
