13 January Management and the Liberal Arts (...is...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

As trainers we are "managers." We are certainly responsible for our own performance but we are also responsible for the performance of those that we manage.

 

We tend not to compensate trainers like managers nor do we track their performance like managers?

 

Could we?

What obstacles exist?

 

Is it reasonable to expect a trainer to coach the learner's manager so that the learner produces results outside of the classroom?

 

Why or why not?

[Paul Terlemezian]

Oftentimes we see in sports that great managers/coaches (Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Vince Lombardi, Bill Belichick, Bobby Cox) were average or below-average athletes from a performance perspective. Their success was their ability to form a team and for the team to have success. Is this an exception? There do not seem to be anecdotes related to someone who could be a Sports Hall-of-Fame member as a performer and a coach.- This may be a research project years from now.

Does this apply in the business world? Could someone who was an average or less business leader help others become better business leaders. Would we prefer a healthy doctor or one whose patients were healthy (how would we know?) We have all heard the "joke" about two barbers - one with a lousy haircut and one with a great haircut - which would you choose to cut your hair?

What would it take to change the way we evaluate trainers from "how they look" to how those they have trained - "look?"