The Whistle No Longer Matters

The whistle around your neck doesn't matter anymore.

How many times have you thought back to the time when you were an athlete or working in an organization and not in a leadership position? You were simply a member of the team, doing whatever was asked. You think of those times and always remember how you responded, how you heard the message, how you showed respect to those who had that giant whistle around their neck. You learned how to lead from your past experiences. But that was then, and this is now, and leading as you were led is not going to work. 

What happened 10 or 20 years ago is not relevant today. How people behave, how they react is based more on their generational values. That’s not to imply today is terrible and everything in the past was perfect. No. The same conversation of how things are different was being held 20 years ago as well. Nothing is frozen in time, as no one can expect this generation to act and respond as you behaved. It's just not going to happen. Therefore, we need to change our approach, our delivery, our methodology.  But — and this is important — one area is constant. Every generation has an insatiable appetite to improve at their craft, to grow, to become the leader one day. That will never change. The timetable of today’s youth is vastly different than ever before. But their gravitational pull toward being the best remains as strong as ever. 

And the only way we can earn their respect is to share our wisdom and help them reach their goals. Selfless leadership is more valuable than ever. In the past, the coach’s whistle signaled respect, attention, admiration, and, most of all, a willingness to do whatever to provide satisfaction. We all wanted to please the coach, make them happy and are fearful of not gaining their approval. We held coaches in high regard; we respected their position, never challenged their authority, and followed their rules, advice and commands thoroughly. 

Today, coaches/leaders can still be held in the same regard, but the whistle around your neck or your business card carries no weight. The way to earn team members’ respect is through your knowledge, through your ability to make someone better, move them closer to their career goals. You cannot view them as being selfish or being in a hurry because all that will do is alienate their attention. It would be best if you won them over with your ability to work for them because they no longer work for you. The exchange of knowledge for the betterment of those you lead will enhance your skills as a leader. You can try to be "old school" and believe the whistle or business card packs a big punch. In reality, you won't get the performance you need to perform at a high level. 

There is no "old school," just today's school. Listen, ask questions, learn their desires, and help them achieve their goals. 

And make sure you get rid of the whistle. 

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