Football and Business – Ray Lewis Calls Lockout “Ego”

It never ceases to amaze me how many lessons there are in football and business. In an interview on ESPN yesterday, NFL leader Ray Lewis said this NFL lockout is “all ego” –and the owners and players need to “remove pride” to get this thing done, so we can have a football season. I know I will be more than ready, after my distraction with the NBA playoffs is over. . .

Out-of-control ego and false pride are at the root of many employer/employee conflicts as well. I’m all for big ego and real pride, provided you can back it up with ACHIEVEMENT. But what gets people all riled up and leads to “getting even” in the workplace, is one person’s needing to be RIGHT, and his or her need to make the other person WRONG.

Some unenlightened humans are willing to sacrifice RESULTS in the name of needing to be RIGHT and saving face, however stupid their “face.” If this NFL sacrifices even one game on the schedule of a $9 billion-dollar industry, my faith in human nature will be tested once again. . .

Ray Lewis pointed out that people are going through struggles right now—people who work in stadiums and others who depend on the NFL for their living expenses, will suffer. He even suggested “crime will increase if we don’t have football” and I’m sorry he put that thought out in the universe.

In any case, the solution is the same as in your workplace: each side needs to GIVE a little, before they sacrifice the good of the whole. C’mon people!! Get a clue!!