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People in the highest levels of power in any organization have big egos built on the foundation of their record of achievement and success. They have reached heights that few people could imagine and that rarified air can be misleading at times. At times, it may make that person forgot the traits and skills that helped get them to where they are.
For instance, the recent comments by a couple NFL owners in regards to their talent is surprising in some manners. Most people reach the top of their organizations by having the ability to galvanize groups of people to perform tasks that generate value that grows their organization. They understand how people perceive their brands is just as important as how their brands operate.
But, I am not sure either the iconic owner of the Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones or the owner of the Cleveland Browns Jimmy Haslam really understood how their comments about players may place their brands in a bad light. Or at the very least confirm the negative stereotypes about how they operate or fail to operate in the modern league.
The Cowboys have a track record of increasing the cost of their free agents by simply not being aggressive enough early on to sign them before the market prices elevates. Part of the problem may be in how recent comments show the view management has regarding their players. Questioning how the fans support a star player is not usually an effective way to negotiate contracts, make workers feel valued, or fans belief that the future is bright.
There are certain statements that are simply unhelpful when said purposefully public. Like not supporting a player that your team drafted. Whether you agreed with your front office's decision, the best approach in dealing with the obvious line of questioning from the local media would be to focus on future not rehashing the past. The public front should be that they welcome the talent that came in. Because there is no value in drafting someone and making them uncomfortable while competing to try to win you a championship.
Just not good leadership moments from a couple owners who have proven that they can do better based on the past business results. Both are trying to change the way their fanbases view their teams and their front offices' efforts to compete. These recent comments can cast a cloud on their hard work and those around them.
Honesty is the best policy. Unless there is no real benefit to share your honest belief. In a corporate environment, the usual approach is to take the position that best serves the organization's interest. It is not politics. There is no need to over share or even answer when there is no organizational benefit.
Even the best of media darlings may slip up in the moment and make an error in their public relations. But, these errors may come with a cost in sports where players will use that to fuel contract negotiations and their desire to find a new home. Sometimes being vanilla in those moments can save your organizations some money and time.
In any negotiations, there will be a need to be aggressive and take stances in order to attain desired results. Players do it all the time and teams can posture the same. There is a need to create points of leverage to maximize the tradeoffs that will lead to an eventual deal or the need to walk away. But you have to strategic about it and not create obstacles. Both sides should at least feel good about being in the agreement rather than not coming to terms.
Both of the Cowboys and Browns are franchises with loyal fanbases. The Cowboys are at the financial pinnacle of all of sports franchises. They should not tarnish their brands by leadership lapses in dealing with the media.