Forget about passion and emotion, how about “pride” in your performance, doing a good job for the “team” and being able to hold your head up at the end of the year and accept your salary saying “I earned that”.
Compare it with your own work. Some go to work just to pick up a pay packet and some go there to do a good job and earn an honest buck. Why shouldn’t the same be for our footballers. Of course, the same varying levels of commitment we see in our work lives unfortunately occur at footy clubs as well, but fortunately, every club faces the same problems, so we’re not alone. But it’s the better clubs and companies who are able to identify those players that want to play and those that don’t.
In the job I do, I watch people a lot, and notice those who are committed and have pride in their work and those that don’t. I watch those with few abilities want to do better, and I see sometimes those with great abilities do everything they can to have a very “easy” day. They do it seemingly with no conscious of the load others carry in the day-to-day effort to deliver our product.
Unfortunately, at interview time, it’s very hard to identify such traits, and the 3 month probation people get, generally enthusiasm is there but suddenly disappears after they are put on on a permanent basis.
It’s the same with footy. How many players are there for the ultimate team result and how many are there for what footy can give them: the recognition, adoration, monetary rewards, great chicks lol, whatever that motivates them. I’m sure the majority are there for the ultimate prize, but it’s hard to recognise those that are there for the easy ride until after a period of time. If they can come up with a formula that can recognise these traits in people, we might be able to win a game or two on a more consistent basis.
I don’t know how you do it, other than looking for leadership qualities, as well as ability, when recruiting players. We don’t do psychological tests in our workplace, as I’ve done for other companies I’ve worked for, so maybe there’s something in that that can weed them out.
Leadership probably is what it’s all about. In a company/club, we all need great leadership to put those that follow on the right path. Cambo’s been a good leader I think – maybe not in the champion status like a Voss – but someone who goes out every week and has a go, does all the right things off field, on the training track etc. But there aren’t many others we can say over the years have given us confidence in their leadership abilities. Hence, this filters through the whole club, and players will think if others don’t make the sacrifices and effort, well stuffed if I will.
Maybe that’s why I value the contributions of guys like Tim Fleming so much. Not much ability, but someone who was willing to give his all and show those with greater skills and natural talent how it’s done. I was really disappointed we lost him for those reasons and we need more of his ilk around the club who can demonstrate to all the kids coming through that mediocrity is not what we aspire to.
Playing on emotion and passion is shortlived. You can be motivated and all geed up through a great emotional speech or whatever, but as soon as they run through the banner or 5 minutes into a game it’s back to reality.
North are good at it, but can’t harness the same passion against other clubs when they’re not playing for a player’s milestone game or the excitement of playing the Tiges
. And like anything, how can you get everyone up at the same time when there’s other occurrences in our every day lives that means others might not be up as much as others.
Leave passion and emotion to the supporters, and the players – just have pride in what you’re doing, who you’re playing for (your team mates and the mighty Tiges) and leaving no stone unturned until the time you can honestly say I did the best I could. Listen and learn from the leaders and treat disdainfully those who want the easy ride.
PS: It’ll never happen, but I had a dream lol
