My only reply to your post would be that there is always more going on behind the scenes in professional sport than is reported.
An old friend and long time leading sports journalist told me this: Any time a Club reports bad news, it has been watered down and sanitised by a factor of five, i.e. what actually makes it into the public domain is usually far far less than what actually happened. By the time the spin doctors and Club crisis management team get through cleaning it up, what actually makes it to the Press Conference is only 20% of the real truth.

If that’s true – and I believe it is – then anything that comes from official press releases from professional teams has to regarded as questionable.

WG

I found it interesting during the aker saga over the last few weeks that the most important thing the bulldogs wanted to protect was their brand. It’s ironic that they were happy to market, promote and exploit aker’s comments when it suited them, but when push came to shove their so called brand was more important. Is there more to it then what we see, read and hear in the public domain, absolutely, but at least Aker had a vehicle to tell his side of the story, but the impact of his reply was watered down because he no longer was an employer of the club.

It’s an interesting dynamic in any business, team or oganisation and it will be interesting to see how it plays out…

If the coach (who is married) says, “let’s live honesty, integrity and accountability” but then skips out the back door of the bar with an attractive blonde….and
If the CEO says “let’s live honesty, integrity and accountability” but then organises secret payments and behind closed doors unethical contract deals….and
If the Board Chairman says”let’s live honesty, integrity and accountability” but then ignores Club processes and protocols and just makes decisions on emotion and ego……..then what chance do the players have?

A fish rots from the head!

If you want an organisation which creates and sustains a competitive environment and lives a values based existence it all starts with consistent, quality leadership who model excellence in personal standards and behaviours.

WG

Yes – the Player Unions add another layer of complexity. So do player personal managers. And their legal advisors. In the end being honest and accepting total accountability may not be a matter of personal choice – it may take negotiation with a whole team of people. Have we got it wrong? How has it got to this stage? Who really runs sport?

WG

Appreciate the comments. I spent yesterday with one of our best National Rugby League competition (NRL) head coaches Brian Smith of the Sydney Roosters. Three things stood out:

1. His capacity for patience, tolerance and understanding in the management of all the peripheral things, e.g. media, fans, sponsors – he made everyone feel part of the team;
2. His ability to balance strong leadership and influence with player empowerment – an outstanding combination of quality coaching and player driven performance;
3. His personal example – he inspired others by his personal standards, work ethic, enthusiasm, passion, professionalism and desire.

That’s why he’s one of the best in the business – and why he continues to thrive in the game.

WG

I believe I am seeing a move around the world to this total accountability environment in many professional teams, primarily due to the fact that the public, the fans, the media and the sponsors are sick and tired of the spin doctors who try to make turpentine smell like rose petals.

I am actually positive and encouraged about where this is heading – we just have to shift some of the dinosaurs who still think in terms of convenient accountability and brand protection.
WG

What you say Jeremy is true, but that culture of honesty and integrity is not as pie in the sky as one might think. Try modeling the behavior for your athletes by treating them with trust and respect and you might be surprised what happens.

Only with a paradigm shift in professional sport will accountability take it´s rightful place in that environment. Sorry to be so gloomy, but I call it as I see it.