Command is Lonely

Most everyone I know wants to be in charge of an organization. They want to be the one in position to make final decisions. Most people believe in their hearts that they are the leader their organization requires. Most leadership positions unfortunately are lonely. As General Colin Powell stated, “Command is lonely”.

It is easy to be a leader in the good times. When budgets are good, teams are winning and your student-athletes are happy. No one has a problem. From my experience, that represents about 15% of your work time. However, every leader in athletics is going to be placed into a position that they are often not prepared for no matter what their experience or background. The death of a student, a coach or loyal alumni can be traumatic. The emergence and cancellation of sports due to a pandemic can be devastating. How you adjust to these situations determine your fate as a leader.

For many leaders in athletics who once were assistant or associate athletic directors, head coaches or in some other role, they often believe they were treated in a different manner than the way they are after they assume a head role.  This leads to loneliness for many leaders and a feeling of isolation. They feel lonely because leadership by its nature is a lonely role.

When I assumed my first director of athletics position I had been in almost every role possible within the department before taking the head position. I assumed I was prepared for the position. I was fortunate in that I had both my former athletic director and associate athletic director on my staff. The athletic director who hired me, Dr. Richard Gordin, would stop by the office everyday for a talk.  But none of that prepared me to be the person who sits alone in that office and is tasked with the full responsibility for everything that happens within the department.

I have watched great leaders over the years and was amazed at their ability to admit mistakes, recognize flaws in strategy and to constantly take responsibility for moving the organization forward. Dealing with a poor performing coach, racism, harassment, academic dishonesty, losing an athlete to an accident, drug or alcohol abuse and lack of funding are times where no one wants to be in charge. Dealing with a pandemic is just one example where today’s leaders have demonstrated the essence of leadership by showing the willingness to make tough choices that will impact the fate of the organization. For those facing the choice of playing or not playing, the loneliness can be deafening.

I always made decisions that were in the best interest of the student-athletes. Dr. Gordin asked everyday how would an impending decision impact the kids? As you face the loneliness that leadership brings, surround yourself with great people who care about you. Leadership is one of the greatest privileges given to anyone. Let your loneliness drive you to be closer to your faith, closer to your family and friends and always make decisions in the best interests of those you serve.