February Leadership Reflections

One of the leadership lessons that is predominant in the first two months of 2011 is the power of momentum or to put it another way, "Success begets success." In world events, the waves of political upheavel started in Tanzania, them moved to Egypt, are currently roaring through Libya and apparently Yemen and Morocco are beginning to see a change in the tides also. In a facebook and twitter and text-message world, momentum is almost impossible to stop once it starts moving, even if it is "technically" blocked.

Momentum has always been a force that leaders need to acknowledge and deal with, whether building on positive momentum or diffusing (or otherwise minimizing) negative momentum. The difference in 2011 is that what may have taken months or even years to develop and move in the political realm in one nation, now can shift dramatically in days, and can then carry over geographic boundaries - as if the lines are simply pencil markings on a map - almost overnight.

This is also evident in the hockey arena. Just after Christmas, the Calgary Flames were waiting for a "bomb to drop" as significant changes were desperately needed as the team continued to muddle along in mediocrity. When GM Darryl Sutter was asked to step down, this was thought to be the first of many steps to the "urgently needed" rebuild. Seven weeks later the Flames are not only in the playoff race, but as of today would be in the top eight in the Western Conference. The alleged "fire sale" that the Flames would be having at the trade deadline is now unthinkable, as all agree you cannot break up the chemistry the team has right now. Seven weeks ago, they were too old, too slow, with almost no salary cap room and even fewer draft choices or prospects to look forward to watching. Again, the direction the team has been moving on the ice (and thus in the standings) has changed the whole tone of the conversation about the character and needs of the organization.

The same has happened in New Jersey as coach John MacLean was let go and former coach, Jacques Lemaire has stepped in. Like the Flames, a team that was competing for a lottery pick in the NHL entry draft is now on the verge of the playoff bubble. Goaltender Martin Brodeur, who the Devils had perhaps played too much and thereby left no room for another goaltender to prepare to fill his shoes, now is the "clutch goaltender" he has always been. Other teams have crashed almost as quickly, namely the Colorado Avalanche.

Leaders are going to have to be increasingly astute at understanding what "trends" are gaining momentum and how when they "go viral" this will affect their organization. Equally challenging, will be distinguishing what news is potentially momentous, and what flashes are simply blips of no lasting significance.