Keller @ Large: Management Lessons From 'Professor' Bill Belichick
BOSTON (CBS) – I admit it, I am fascinated by the management techniques of Patriots coach Bill Belichick, as all serious students of successful management should be.
And Sunday's blowout of Detroit was yet another compelling case study from Professor Belichick.
Why did he bench running back Jonas Gray, fresh off a spectacular performance last week that landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated? Was it because Belichick believes in the SI jinx and was afraid Gray would fumble if he got his hands on the ball?
The coach's explanation was a classic Belichick non-sequitor: "We do what we think is best."
But it looks to me like this was a classic example of why Belichick is so successful.
First, in a sport where discipline and the subjugation of ego to the team's interests are of paramount importance, Belichick sent a message to the entire team that even the most excusable violation of the rules – Gray being late for practice because the battery in his cellphone alarm died – is inexcusable, and has real consequences.
This message co-exists with the message of tolerance and willingness to give second chances that Belichick sends by taking on players who other teams shun due to attitude problems, like LeGarrette Blount, who stepped in and starred in Gray's place, and now serves as extra incentive for Gray to excel. This mixed message may be self-serving – you better toe the line, unless we really need you, in which case never mind – but it seems to have served Belichick teams well over the years.
Belichick is teaching us all about tough love, the process of promoting positive human behavior while channeling and curbing human weaknesses.
It's a lesson worth learning, if we only pay attention to it.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.
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