President Harry Truman
Years ago Harry Truman penned those famous words, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen," and those have been the by-words of people involved in leadership ever since--and rightly so. With a position of leadership comes responsibilities... Here are a few:
* Always tell the truth. If you do, then you don't have to worry about what you told someone.
* Expect criticism. Its part of the job when you are making decisions that affect others. You can't please everyone all the time.
* If you are in an elected or appointed position, you are fair game for criticism. Like Truman said, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen..."
* Know what you are doing and talking about before you open your mouth. When you don't, the moment you open your mouth is validation of their criticisms.
Somehow these rules apply to anyone in leadership--and also to us as tennis officials. You're never going to please every parent, player, spectator, or official so just do your best and do it honestly and correctly.
Just in case you think I'm talking only to tennis officials, here is an example in Washington that happened yesterday:
Rep. John Conyers (D)
Conyers got a personal phone call from Obama because he felt that Conyers has been demeaning him before Conyer's committee.
Sounds like someone needs to get tougher skin--or get out of Washington.
President Barack Hussein Obama
(the offended one)
3 comments:
You think they read this in Austin or Ft. Worth?
And in the catagory of good statements to live by, I know a Big 12 Football official who has done the National Championship game, did the UT Nebraska game last weekend, and is the official you can see as Crabtree makes "the catch" and walks the sideline last year against Texas. His philosophy is "Don't be afraid to make a mistake" which means to me, don't sit on your hands and do nothing when something needs to be done in a match.
Your friend is a very wise and astute man...
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