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John Wooden
His “Pyramid of Success”— focusing on industriousness, alertness, initiative, poise and other needed skills— would provide a foundation for IT innovation and results.
John WoodenQuote-worthy:
“Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.” (Wooden)
Vince Lombardi
Capable of leading diverse skillsets— from the stoic Bart Starr to “work hard/play hard” types like Paul Hornung— and molding them into one great team.
Vince LombardiQuote-worthy:
“Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” (Lombardi)
Pat Summitt
Nothing could keep “Lady Vols” coach Summit— who's won more than 1,000 games— from getting maximum value out of her IT employees. Summitt didn't even allow going into labor stop her during a recruiting trip.
Pat SummittQuote-worthy:
“(Players) don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” (Summitt)
Bill Walsh
Arguably pro football's greatest offensive mind. Certainly, he'd cultivate many future “CIOs” under his tutelage, just as the real-life Walsh has mentored so many modern-day head coaches.
Bill WalshQuote-worthy:
“Nothing is more effective than sincere, accurate praise. And nothing is more lame than a cookie-cutter compliment.” (Walsh)
Joe Torre
He'd have a calming effect even during the worst of times, such as the current economic downturn. He'd instill a sense of loyalty among his IT teams by conveying trust in their abilities.
Joe TorreQuote-worthy:
“When we lost, I couldn't sleep at night. When we win, I can't sleep at night. But when you win, you wake up feeling better.” (Torre)
Phil Jackson
Jackson would encourage tech employees to think “outside their comfort zone” by providing to them philosophical books that may— or may not— have anything to do with IT. He'd also allow team members to work out problems on their own, without meddling.
Phil JacksonQuote-worthy:
“In basketball— as in life— true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way." (Jackson)
Jim Valvano
His legendary sense of humor would be infectious in winning over employees. His team’s performance would provide the substance behind the style.
Jim ValvanoQuote-worthy:
“No matter what business you're in, you can't run in place or it will pass you by.” (Valvano)
Bill Belichick
Belichick would recruit IT not based upon talent, but character, intellect, work ethic and a unified vision. Then he'd create an atmosphere that allows talent to grow.
Bill BelichickQuote-worthy:
“It's more than about having the best players that we can have on the roster You have to be cognizant of the overall makeup of your team.” (Belichick)
Pete Carroll
Carroll would make sure his IT teams pursued great innovation – he was college football's foremost offensive thinker for much of last decade. But, like Valvano, he'd make for a lively, fun office atmosphere.
Pete CarrollQuote-worthy:
“I can't ask the offense to score slower.” (Carroll)
Pat Riley
He'd nimbly adapt his CIO “game plan” to shifts in business climates. Look at how he built championship “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers teams, then bruising winners in New York and Miami.
Pat RileyQuote-worthy:
“Management must speak with one voice. When it doesn't, management itself becomes a peripheral opponent to the team's mission.” (Riley)
Sean Payton
Payton would walk into workplace decimated by hard times, and turn it into a positive, winning operation. He's brought the New Orleans Saints back from years of failure – not to mention local devastation from Hurricane Katrina.
Sean PaytonQuote-worthy:
“I think this area, this community, this region is tough, and our team better reflect that, too.” (Payton)
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