James Coburn and Lincoln

Lately, I’ve caught myself checking out a couple of films with James Coburn on YouTube.  To the young and uninitiated, Mr. Coburn was a star of around four decades starting in the ‘60’s. 

He was lanky, not particularly handsome, but, parlayed this self-assured walk and, more famously, an amazing grin to stardom.  He’d excelled in roles that had him employ those two attributes – confident, suave, criminal, devilish.  

That was his mark and that’s what made him memorable (check out his Skyriders here on YouTube should you happen to find the time). 

Some of the things I’ve learned having been back here for five years now:  With Filipinos, you can actually come up with lousy products, but, just be good in relationships and projecting some sort of positive image.  

Absolutely, absolutely nothing can be solved over a nice, long lunch.  Go ask the BIR, politicians, criminals and cops. 

I guess one should ask oneself, among others, these questions:  Am I relationship-centric?, what do I think of meetings - a venue to cultivate meaning with God's other creations or just absolutely boring time wasters?  What makes me indelible to others?

Lastly, we continue on with a few more nuggets from Abraham:

IX.  Lead by Being Led

- If you are a good leader, when your work is done, your aim fulfilled, your people will say, "We did this ourselves."  

- Try not to feel insecure or threatened by your followers.  

- Let disputing parties work out their differences by bringing them together and guiding their dialogue.  

- Write letters to your subordinates making the personal acknowledgement that they were right and you were wrong.  

Written September 13, 2014

Continuing on Lincoln...and the Spurs

Like I said, I don't think we've heard the last on the Spurs.  I'd miss this important item on them being the first team in any of the four major professional sports in North America to hire a female assistant coach. 

 

Part of the reason why Becky Hammon had been chosen seems to stem from a trip with Coach Pop:

Popovich may have a rep for being prickly, but he's also one of the smartest and most well-rounded coaches in the NBA, well versed in everything from politics to pinot noirs. When he and Hammon found themselves on the same flight home from the London Olympics, they spent the entire time talking — about everything but basketball.

"From the time that he got off that trip, he really had an intrigue about Becky not only as a coach but just as a person," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "If you've spent time studying or watching Pop, it's not about basketball, it's about people."

We could even go back to last week's piece about the culture that the Spurs had set as an organization.  It's highly probable that this environment allowed Pop to even consider making this decision.  

Now, let's segue on to our series on Lincoln's principles.  

To set up everything, let's note that the civil war in the US had been fought over, really, economic matters:  You see, the northern (and industrialized part) of the US thought it abhorrent that slavery was still the norm by landowners in the states that made up the southern part.  

The stand of the Southerners was that it was their way of life - the slaves were being used to work on their cotton fields - and those who did not understand this had no right to tell them what to do.

In this midst came Lincoln who was equally disgusted by the notion of forcing people to work for, essentially, free. The reality, though, was that he had to keep the country together and so it was with this that he held up as long as he could from imposing the law that would abolish slavery - to be able to try and work out a compromise first.  

I guess the teachable moment here is to try and see first if there's a way to work things out before, yes, declaring "war" on anybody. 

III. Persuade Rather Than Coerce:

- A good leader avoids issuing orders, preferring to request, imply or make suggestions.  

IV.  Honesty and Integrity Are the Best Policies:

- When you make it to the top, turn and reach down for the person behind you.  

- You must be consistently fair and decent, in both the business and personal side of life.  

V.  Never Act Out of Vengeance or Spite:  

- Have malice toward none and charity for all.  

- Touch people with the better angels of your nature.  

VI.  Be a Master of Paradox:

- Avoid major conflict in the form of quarrels and arguments.  You simply don't have time for it. 

VII.  Exercise a Strong Hand - Be Decisive:

- An entire organization is never wisely sacrificed to avoid losing one or two small parts.  

- When making a decision, understand the facts, consider various solutions and their consequences, make sure that the decision is consistent with your objectives, and effectively communicate your judgment.  

VIII.  Master the Art of Public Speaking:

- Be your organization's best stump-speaker, with droll ways and dry jokes.  

- Remember that there will be times when you should simply not speak.  Say to your listeners:  "Kindly let me be silent."   

All for now and see you next week - same time, same station.

Written August 31, 2014

It Really Starts at the (Very) Top....and Lincoln

Yup, couldn't help it, we're back in Spurs territory here.  Probably really the lastest this season...then again, wouldn't bet on it.  

We've discussed much about them - five championships over a 17-year span, core members who've stayed on out of loyalty, players not leaving for higher pay, etc - and I've pointed out their selfless philosophy and organizational discipline.  Yada, yada, yada stuff, right?  

A bit of research, lately, pointed out the fact, though, that it actually, really starts at the very top - the owner. 

Let me share these few lines about him - obviously a PR job, but, I think you'll get the idea:

Peter Holt believes in a values-based management philosophy, in which the community gains benefits from association with a company that is committed to proper business ethics. A company's responsibility leads to the company supporting community projects, leading to mutual benefit for the community and company. These values were one of the primary factors in Holt's 1993 decision to invest in the Spurs. His desire was to keep the team in San Antonio to help the community and vice-versa. 

So, essentially, the Spurs are who they are because of a top-down philosophy - that a culture has been built and that success, you could say, comes naturally. 

Series on Lincoln 

Speaking of top-down, we'll be starting a series on Abraham Lincoln.  I thought of giving the heavy tome known as the "The Board Book" a rest for a while and checked out another one Dad passed on and it's about the leadership style of America's 16th President.  

A curious case he - lost eight elections, twice failed at business and only had a few years of political experience before becoming president during the gravest time of that country's history - its civil war!

What he had done during that period - keeping the nation intact - is nothing short of miraculous and has put him down as one of the greatest leaders of all time.  

Yes, you are not at war, I agree, but I think you're faced with certain challenges and maybe some of his principles may come in handy.  The book is "Lincoln on Leadership" and it's by Donald Phillips and he breaks down what he thinks are the principles of honest Abe:

I. Get Out of the Office and Circulate Among the Troops:

- Explain yourself in writing and offer advice on how to solve problems.

- Seek casual contact with your subordinates.  It is as meaningful as a formal gathering, if not more so.      

- Be the very embodiment of good temper and affability.  

- Remember, everyone likes a compliment.  

II.  Build Strong Alliances

- Invest time and money in better understanding the ins and outs of human nature.  

- Showing your compassionate and caring nature nature will aid you in forging successful relationships. 

Written August 24, 2014