The Big Ten made a tough decision several weeks ago to postpone their fall seasons. The impact of that decision has been discussed at length in various media circles. To the outsider, the Big Ten made a decision that created a feeling of a lack of trust between their action and what the sports fan, coaches and student-athletes were experiencing on the ground. Issues causing this lack of trust are diverse. Discussions in the media have centered on a conflict of interest, threat of litigation, lack of loyalty, threat of exposure, lack of control over the virus spread, fear of the unknown, and a focus on the negative. Whatever the reasons for the decision the Big Ten has done a poor job communicating why they are not playing when most high schools in their locations are.
Author David Horsager identified eight pillars in his book The Trust Edge that trust is built upon. Those pillars include; Consistency, Clarity, Compassion, Character, Contribution, Competency, Connection and Commitment. As the Big Ten debates the reopening of the fall sport season, I think they would be smart to follow some of Horsager’s eight pillars.
Starting with clarity it would be wise advice for the Big Ten to be transparent in all discussions about the postponement decision and any subsequent talks to reopen fall sports. The fact that so much vague information is being dispersed leads people to distrust anything coming from the Big Ten office. The Big Ten office has failed to effectively communicate with those impacted or concerned about the postponed seasons. The Big Ten needs to be the source for what is happening instead of letting numerous anonymous sources play the role.
The Big Ten has failed to show any real compassion for those impacted by their decision. They need to listen, show appreciation for and empathy for the coaches, players, their parents and fans. It is important the leadership of the Big Ten be engaged in dialogue with these individuals even if the discussions are not ones they want to take part in. If the decision is right, you should have no trouble defending it.
The character of those in charge at the Big Ten has been brought into question. Leaders need to demonstrate their moral ground for any decision and be consistent in thought, words and actions. They should be asking everyday if they are doing the right thing? If it is unsafe for the young men and women in the Big Ten to play based on leadership findings, they probably should be willing to walk the talk in their personal lives.
The Big Ten needs to show humility. Understand that the information they have today may be different from that of yesterday. Be willing to adapt to new information and have a flexible plan that allows them to make alternative plans if the information merits it. Most of all get the advice of experts and remain willing to listen to all sides of the argument. Changing a decision does not mean you were wrong. It just means you have a new understanding based on evidence. The same way coming to the same conclusion after carefully reviewing every possible piece of new evidence solidifies your standing on the decision.
Being a great leader means you are committed to those you serve. In return those you serve will be committed to you when times are tough. However, you have to help people understand whose interests you are looking out for. Is it the players, the coaches, the university or the conference? Or is it all of them? Currently there is much debate on who this decision is meant to serve.
The Big Ten has a large trust issue right now. Every decision made by anyone in leadership impacts trust in a negative or positive manner. The Big Ten has been impacted negatively because they have not been perceived as being genuine in what evidence and information they used and how they took action on this decision.
For the Big Ten to regain the trust of their constituents and sports fans nationally they must deliver honest answers in real time. The Big Ten has been a leader nationally in many ways. They have demonstrated that leadership in hundreds of ways over the past decade on why they should be a trusted leader in college athletics. However trust can be lost through just one example of a lack of a consistency in a process. Trust has deep roots when it is at its best but with one inconsistent action the roots can rot away.
Oh Geez Sports 