I was on the treadmill the other day watching ESPN (multi tasking!) and they were interviewing Dick Vitale, the basketball guy (heyyyy baybeeeeeeeee). Evidently he lives in Tampa and is a huge Devil Rays fan. They were getting his take on the World Series and asked him what, based on his years of sports experience, he liked about Rays on field manager Joe Maddon.

Vitale replied that he liked his poise. Like Joe Torre, Maddon is unflappable presenting an even tempered, even keeled model for his team. Hmm, sounds like good old fashioned setting the example to me! Chapter Three of No Yelling is about this very thing. If the manager, in the office or on the field, is losing it and putting his employees or players through an emotional roller coaster what kind of example is that? Not a good one.

I listened to an interview of Maddon after they won the American League Championship and I was impressed. He talked about the team and about fundamentals. He was very practical and down to earth. He respects his players. And he is poised. And, oh yeah, he has the Rays in the World Series for the first time. He took them from worst to first.

How did he do it? Leadership.

Go Rays!

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