Don’t ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure. ~ Chicago Cubs Manager, Joe Maddon
I should start by admitting what might be obvious; I’m a fair weather Chicago Cubs fan. Since the weather is quite fair (Cubs are in the playoffs!), I’m currently a fan. When Crain’s Chicago Business recently published an article entitled “Leadership lessons from the dugout, courtesy of Cubs’ Maddon,” I was curious. I’m not at all familiar with Maddon so when I learned about his leadership approach and creativity, I became a fan of the leader, Joe Maddon.
His demeanor is relaxed. He watches games from the corner of the dugout. Whether the Cubs win or lose, he responds to media questions in a calm voice, and gives an objective account of runs, hits, and errors.
These four characteristics are foundational to Maddon’s leadership approach.
Instill a smart, upbeat attitude. He is described as having an “uncanny ability to remain positive.” Tough defeats or bad plays don’t get him down. When things don’t go so well, he highlights what they gain from the high-pressure competition.
Stay loose and productive. Maddon says, “Don’t ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure,” true in baseball and organizations. Prior to the postseason, Maddon organized what was called purposeful madness. Players took a night flight in their pajamas and he turned Wrigley Field into a zoo of exotic animals. Organizational leaders could learn from Maddon’s ability to create lightness in the midst of tension or even monotony.
Be old- and new-school. It’s not just baseball that’s embraced computer analytics over experience and instinct, so too have organizational metrics. Maddon uses both. He’s data-driven, but he also has the confidence to go with his gut.
Avoid being the center of attention. According to the Reeds who wrote the article in Crain’s, “Maddon consciously is not the star of the team or ‘the story.’ Instead he opts for a lower profile.”
Reeds also said:
Many bosses would gain from tapping into Maddon’s good-natured respect for colleagues and collaborators. Too often human dignity is a workplace casualty of the “Get it done faster!” or “No excuses” management mindset.
Maddon demonstrates that playing it loose reaps its own rewards. There’s a time for seriousness and all-out effort, but honestly, few company situations are so life-and-death that managers can’t afford to lighten up. It’s called perspective and a little of it can go a long way in getting the best out of a team. So chill the Maddon way.