Learning What Not to Do From the Leadership of the Washington Redskins
There's an old, old saying that, "A fish rots from the head down." It dates in English from at least 1674 and has probably hung around all these years because it's true. The Washington Redskins are one of the latest examples of the truth of this aphorism.
Since the NFL season began, I've thought of writing a post on what can be learned about how not to lead an organization from analyzing the Redskins' owner Dan Snyder. After Sunday's 14 - 6 loss to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs that included a safety in the closing minutes, the time finally seems right. After all, the Redskins have lost to the 1 and 22 Detroit Lions and haven't beaten a team this year with a winning record. As the Washington Post has reported, the team sues its fans who have fallen on hard times and can't honor their ticket contracts. They have one of the most bloated payrolls in the NFL and week by week, publicly humiliate their head coach Jim Zorn (a classic example of what I refer to as an NGB - "nice guy, but...") by removing one more aspect of his duties. (This week it was play calling.)
Seriously, if we can't learn something about how not to lead an organization from watching Dan Snyder then it's probably time to move onto another topic. What are his secrets for leading a rotten organization? Here are a few that catch my attention:
Live in the past: The Redskins haven't won a Super Bowl since 1992 and have made the playoffs only three times in the 10 years that Snyder has owned the team. And yet, they act as if they're perennial contenders for the Super Bowl. The first step in dealing with reality is to live in it.
Manage things you don't know about: By all accounts, Snyder has surrounded himself with front office personnel who are not up to the job of managing the football side of an NFL franchise. The weak staff gives Snyder the latitude to become personally involved in football decisions that he doesn't have the experience to make.
Squeeze your customers until they bleed: The Redskins charge a premium price for an inferior product. They have long term fans whose loyalty and passion for the team dates back longer than the owner has been alive. When some of those fans fell on hard times and couldn't honor their long term ticket contracts, the Redskins sued them and bankrupted them. This is from a team who claims to have the longest waiting list for season tickets of any franchise in the NFL.
Chase after shiny objects: One thing Redskins fans have come to count on is that the off season will bring a high priced player acquisition that will be a "game changer". This year, it was a $100 million contract for tackle Albert Haynesworth. In previous years it was Deion Sanders or Bruce Smith or somebody else. Heck, even bringing back the great Joe Gibbs was part of this pattern. The acquisitions don't pay off because there is no long term system or plan in place around which the entire team can gel.
Offend and insult people's intelligence: As society has changed, there has been more and more discomfort and offense taken with the very name, Redskins. As many commentators have pointed out, it's hard to come up with a team in another sport that is named after an offensive label for an entire ethnic group. It's gotten to the point where the U.S. Supreme Court may agree to hear a suit from six Native American tribes on the team name. In the face of such criticism, Snyder talks about the honor and tradition of the Redskins. Please. Could it possibly be about the money wrapped up in the trademark?
Hire and fire rapidly: How many head coaches has the team had since Snyder took over? Let's see if I can name them all. Norv, Robiskie (Don't remember him? Look it up.), Schottenheimer, Spurrier, Gibbs, Zorn. That's six head coaches in 10 years. How in the world can you build an organization when there is constant churn in the top operational job?
Embarrass your key people in public: Let's say you're a young quarterback with some potential. You've shown some promise at the end of the previous season and are learning. And then in the offseason, your owner and EVP of football operations start publicly wooing number one QB draft picks and some veteran QB's without even talking with you about what they're thinking. Would you feel supported as a leader of your team? Would you feel confident in your position? Would you feel wanted? No, I didn't think so. That's what it's been like for Washington QB Jason Campbell this year. Let's not even get started on how his head coach has been treated.
Accept no accountability: The silence from Dan Snyder and his EVP of football operations Vinny Cerrato as the team has gotten worse and worse has been deafening. The two of them are the only constants over the 10 years of Washington's decline. One might think they have some accountable role in the situation.
Make your organization an extension of your own ego: This is what it probably all comes down to. I remember when I was in my last corporate job, it looked like our parent company was probably going to be acquired. A bunch of us on the senior team were sitting around talking about what was next and one of my colleagues who had been around the block a few times said to us, "Remember, whoever buys us is going to be thinking, 'If you guys are so smart, how come we bought you?'" That's it in a nutshell with Dan Snyder. If all of you are so smart, how come I own the team? Until he gets his ego out of the way, there's no hope for the long suffering fans.
OK, that's my take. What's yours? If you follow the NFL, what have I gotten right or wrong here? What are some of the leadership lessons you've learned along the way by watching someone else and saying, "Wow, I'm never going to do that?"
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Executive coach Scott Eblin’s goal is to help you succeed at the next level of leadership. Throughout the week, he’ll offer his take on the leadership lessons in the news and his advice on your most pressing leadership questions. A former government executive, Scott is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and is the author of The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success.
I follow the Redskins, and think you hit the nail on the head. I went to the Kansas City game because I had a chance to buy tickets at face value, and my sons (9 and 10) had never been to an NFL game before.
I've been a fan for many years, and was able to go about once a season during the glory days at RFK. At Fedex Field aka "Gouge Em" field - the fans are the ones gouged, not the opposing team) the upper decks were about 70% empty, and the lower ones about 50% empty. Since the concession revenues are so high ($8 beer, etc.) that many empty seats may finally force Snyder to fire Cerato. He's never going to fire himself.
Nobody denies he's a smart businessman, the question is is he a good enough leader to pick the right General manager and coach and then get out of the way.
Regards,
Bill Huddleston
Bill Huddleston Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:30 PMDan Snyder is a "three dimensional character" representative, like the owner of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, of the "quick millionaire" who 'made" their money during the booming "dot.com" years. They sold a "bill of goods"...nothing more and nothing less.
Jeff Schrembs Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 6:02 PMSnyder bought a Theme Park a few years ago and since then the quality has gone down.
Snyder has made MILLIONS by SUING Redskin Season Ticket Holders who failed to pay when the "backlog" of requests for tickets is at an all time high.
Snyder got a DEAL OF A LIFETIME (i.e. taxbreaks, bonds, grants, etc.) when the new stadium was being built and all he does is show everyone that he is NOT a good owner and NOT a good "leader" of an NFL team.
He sits in the middle of practice in a lawn chair with his every ready Helicopter and/or Limo awaiting his "ever so short" legs to carry his "ever growing waistline" into his "leather covered seat".
Snyder pays MILLIONs to players that are UNDESERVING and casts asides those who are (see Redskin Offensive Lineman for examples).
Snyder is RICH and he IS RICH not because of what he does, or in spite of what he does, but SOLELY because of what he owns. He owns the Redskins because he MANIPULATED "businesses" that have FAILED or are FAILING or were OVERPRICED.
Snyder is an example of what is WRONG and that is (a) SUING the little guy (b) destroying businesses and (c) living the life of LUXURY while doing # a and # b.
Snyder is a LITTLE MAN in every sense of the word and it is high time that he, and his POSSE of UNDERACHIEVERS (i.e. Vinnie, Portis, etc.), is BOUGHT OUT and the Redskins get an Owner WORTHY of the Fans who support the Redskins AND who put a TEAM out on the field instead of Players who CRY about getting more money instead of EARNING IT.
I guess they did learn from Synder that EARNING it is too hard...so they do everything BUT earn it.
Nuff said.
Wow. Terrific post. I don't follow the Redskins so this is news to me--but it's sure a common pattern in entrepreneurial companies. You've nailed a pattern I've seen hundreds of times in owner-led businesses (including my own before I sold it). I often look back and wish I'd known then what I realize now. Thanks for a concise summary of behaviors guaranteed to ruin any relationship: marriage, parenting, management, politics.
chris coleman Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:41 AMWell Said!
BTIP Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:48 AMExcellent article! I've been a Redskins' season ticket holder for 11 years, and if Vinny Cerrato remains as the EVP, I will not be renewing my season tickets for next year.
Pete Kelchner Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:02 AMSo many of your points echo with me. First, you don't have to be a football fan to be pulled into this unfolding drama. My heart goes out to the coach. He is trying to stay focused on the vision yet his own leadership is creating distractions. It reminds me of a too recent plot in which I became a key character. I was enjoying my work as a federal executive, with passion; new boss on the block had no vision (or understanding) for the work; made decisions without input, resulting in agency losing its high standing & eventually demotes my role citing function not needed. Want to know my role? Facilitating and promoting strategic direction for the entire organization. My once "passion for the work" (and I have other passions) has now become a job providing a "means to an end". I admire Zorn for demonstrating commitment in what has to be very straining moments in his life. Though his strength is fading, he will be refreshed again. The good leaders always bounce back--stronger than before.
Wilma Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:06 AMSo your'e a Redskins fan, aren't you? The Post has an article today about how the Redskins might have been better off if John Kent Cooke were still the owner.
I think your observations about Snyder are spot-on. It would have been useful to compare his operation of the Redskins with the operation of some well-run franchises, like the Patriots and the Colts. The Colts' president may be the best player personnel guy in the game.
Jay Dee Are Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:49 AMI 100% agree with this article. I would only like to add one additional comment about team ownership and the problem with Dan Snyder.
Judy Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:09 AMWhat happened to team owners like our wonderful Mr. Cooke (who the new stadium was suppose to honor)? He was a true owner. He was there for the team and fans. He was not in it for himself. He had the funds to support a team that was an asset to the Washington area. Dan Snyder is only in it for himself. What a shame.
I would like to offer another perspective on Mr. Eblin's topic of “Chase after shiny objects.” Several years ago, I read a thought provoking article regarding the New England Patriots. The Patriots had won two Super Bowls, and the article claimed to know the secret of their success. The discussion centered on their philosophy that it is better to invest in several people at the 6 to 7 level (out of a rating of 1-10) than consolidate and invest the big bucks for a 9.8 player. There are several benefits; quality back-up players that win games when first line players are injured, more intra-squad competitiveness that keeps everyone on their toes, and most of all, egos are held in check. All the players on the squad sense more respect from everyone in the system. An even bigger benefit is that when a below-the-line member senses this respect and responds to nurturing, they will sometimes rise to become a marquee player. Remember, Tom Brady was a six round draft choice who the Patriots felt was a good gamble to mature as quarterback even though other teams had passed him up. The lesson is that even when a team has a marquee player, egos are more likely to be held in check!
I cannot quote the article, but I will never forget the message. The article noted that other communities could take lessons from the Patriots' management approach. When one considers the latest financial disasters regarding high-powered marquee CEOs with their bonuses, one has to question if the “chasing the shiny object,” was the overriding priority. Maybe we should restructure all business colleges to teach a course called, “Patriots 101, How to Build Success by Not Chasing after Shiny Objects. “
Bill Billiard Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:11 AMEvery season ticket holder should sue Snyder for incompetence. Fans should boycott every game until Snyder sells the team.
RP Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:05 AMLooks to me like Mr. Snyder's mentor for how to own an NFL franchise is Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders (sometimes around here called the Oakland Traitors for Davis' move of the team to Los Angeles a few years back and its subsequent return to Oakland with Davis' tail between his legs). Those two are two peas in a pod. Which is to say Snyder is not unique. More's the pity.
Jared Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 5:17 PMI think the worst aspect of Snyder as a leader is that when things go well he takes the credit, but when things go poorly he defers blame. The constant undermining of his junior leaders is sickening. Honestly, as a military officer even if I disagreed with a subordinate leader's decision or actions unless they were completely inappropriate or morally wrong I would speak to them privately. I would never dress down someone in front of their guys. Snyder consistently undermines the coach and his relationships with players (lavar, portis,etc.) definitely seems like favoritism and creates dissension.
Jeff Marx Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:20 PMI am not a Redskins fan (I like the name). I'm Vikings fan who has lived in the Washington, DC metro area for the past 13 years.
Dan Snyder is someone who got rich in the "dot.com" era as did many who have no particular skill set. Since then he has proved that he did not get rich because of business smarts, e.g, his investment in 6-Flags and its continued failure under his leadership. However, he has deluded himself that he is smart and that he has leadership qualities. He has neither. It has tickled me pink to see Norv Turner be successful in San Diego while Danny boy is not in Washington.
Go Vikings (and Bret and Adrian)!!
Rodney Michael Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:15 AMIt's Snyder's franchise. Let him do with it as he wants. If you don't like it, don't go to the games. Don't watch. Sounds like all you guys are jealous cause you don't have the scratch to buy it from him.
Robert L. Duecaster Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:58 AMThe article says it all, I think if we fans could have our way we would fire Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrrato and start over. I have been a Redskins fan for over 40 years. Being in the military I have been all over the place and I am finally going to be able to go to my first game in Dec when they play the Saints. Jim Zorn was thrown into an impossible situation for which he was ill prepared, but has tried to do the best he could. And now we are going to have someone whose last job was calling bingo call our offensive plays. God help us all. With the look at the stands at the Chiefs game I could end up sitting on the 50 yard line by the end of the game in Dec!
Karen White Posted Friday, October 23, 2009 8:04 AMThe team has no self-respect. My favorite team is whoever is playing the Redskins. I will never pay the ridiculous prices charged to see a game, park, and eat...suckers' entertainment.
tim Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:52 AM