Nice Wheels, Zen Master

Have you seen that TV commercial for the new Audi A8 with Phil Jackson, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers coaching great?

I love the car (c'mon, what's not to love about it?) although I question how any commercial can be effective selling a product that costs as much as a modest home in the midwest.

What I really love about the commercial is Mr. Jackson and his eloquent line to the chef of the restaurant,  "...anger is the enemy of instruction".

Anyone can be a parent and anyone can be "a boss". Few do it well. There are exceptions but where there are great children you will usually find great parents. Where there are great teams ususally you will find great coaches. Same for business. Sadly, the oppososite, with exceptions, is usually true as well.

Leadership is hard.Whether you're a sports coach, a CEO, a restaurant chef, cub scout pack leader, middle manager or parent, being "in charge" is hard work. To be effective at it requires a level of tact, skill and patience that few people realize they are going to need when they first venture into it.

Good leaders understand that being effective is not a popularity contest. They understand their job is to get results by leading.

You could argue that Jackson was as successful as he was because he coached two teams loaded with  talent. One could argue that only someone like Jackson could lead teams with talent like that.

I'll take the latter.

Nice wheels, Zen Master.