As America’s Pastime, baseball is an important part in our leisure legacy. In my family, we have a die-hard tradition of supporting our local team. Unfortunately, our local team of choice is the Chicago Cubs who have a century long tradition of failing to win a championship. And traditionally struggle to have a winning (over .500) season.
In Websters’ words, a tradition is:
“a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time”
I will always cherish the childhood memory of my grandfather, Walter Hilberg, walking me up those old concrete ball park steps that revealed the majestic green scene of Wrigley Field. At that moment, baseball went from black and white to panoramic, living color for little Tommy.
As you can see from the photos, I’ve passed the pastime of attending Cub games to the next generation. The first photo is our son’s first game. Then there’s me with my successors in team attire before this year’s Opening Day.
Considering the talent level of the 2014 Cub’s team, none of us attend Cub games with high hopes of witnessing a winning effort. Going to games is about The Wrigley Field Experience. It’s about reliving memories of…
And now, we’re creating new memories of family fun at the old ball park.
Cub’s Management is asking fans to practice patience while they stockpile talented young prospects for the future. Lately there’s more reason to believe. Their high potential players are beginning to perform. While we wait for a winner, there’s plenty of beer in Wrigleyville before, after and during the games. Clark Street is the new Rush Street. Cheers!
With my personal stuff aside. here’s the real point. Cub’s management is actually giving us some leadership lessons as they execute their turnaround from their long-time losing legacy.
Is it possible that they are creating a textbook turnaround that will be studied for ages? OK, that sounds just like an over-optimistic Cub fan. But hear me out.
Good To Great PrinciplesFor advocates of the business book Good To Great, there are some familiar principles in play. It seems that the Cubs leadership…
Currently, Cub fans can only hope that greatness is in store for 2016. But if the Cub’s disciplined, methodical approach to pursuing greatness succeeds, our family tradition of following our team will be all the more rewarding.
If not, there will still be sunshine, tradition and (and that Cub Kool-Aid substitute) beer. As the song says; “If they don’t win it’s a shame.“
As with many organizations that seek sustained greatness, the Cubs are patiently seeking to develop their talent sooner rather than later. They have hired the best available coaches and mentors to methodically fast-track their young talent. Shouldn’t you do the same?
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One Response
For those who believe that the Cubs are a poor leadership example: You’re entitled to your opinion. My response is the same as it’s been for those who questioned other examples:
Leaders Are Human Too.