The Sporting Life: Favre exemplifies leadership through inspiration

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Brent Lawrence, who would have been a great baseball player if it weren't for an amazing lack of talent, is a columnist with Springfield Business Journal.|ret||ret||tab|

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We all could learn something by watching football player Brett Favre.|ret||ret||tab|

The Green Bay Packers' quarterback is a rare individual because he's a tremendous leader who inspires those around him, and he obviously has fun at his job.|ret||ret||tab|

A lot of people say, "Of course he can be a good leader and have fun; he's making millions of dollars and is playing a game."|ret||ret||tab|

But it's not that simple. There are thousands of professional athletes, actors and business leaders who have tons of money but none of the traits that Favre does.|ret||ret||tab|

Favre's greatest talent is that he makes those around him better at their jobs. He makes them better because his attitude makes his teammates want to perform for him. They don't want to let him down.|ret||ret||tab|

When watching a game it's apparent how Favre inspires others. His grin and confidence are infectious. The rest of the team is seemingly turned into 300-pound kids, devoted followers of their leader.|ret||ret||tab|

Favre's father, Irvin, died recently just a few days before an important football game. Favre decided to play and turn in a performance worthy of his dad.|ret||ret||tab|

And Favre's teammates stepped up for him.|ret||ret||tab|

"For him to come out and play this game, he's a better man than most of us on this team," said Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver in an Associated Press story. "We knew that we had to go out and get him everything that he wanted. He wanted this game as bad as we did, and we did it for his dad."|ret||ret||tab|

It takes respect to merit that kind of loyalty. |ret||ret||tab|

Business owners and managers should try to achieve that type of respect. And it's always a two-way street to garner that kind of support from workers.|ret||ret||tab|

During the last few months, I've talked with numerous businesspeople, and a few really stood out as people who understand what it takes to take their business to the next level.|ret||ret||tab|

"If my designers are happy, then they're doing good work," said Sheryl Parrish, owner of The Alley, a total hair and body salon. "People like to be around happy people. If I take care of what I'm supposed to take care of, which is my staff, and they're happy, then they'll take care of what they're supposed to take care of the clients."|ret||ret||tab|

The Alley has its own upbeat attitude, all directly driven by Parrish.|ret||ret||tab|

While touring the Wil Fischer Companies facility with President and CEO Jeff Gower, all the employees I saw appeared to be happy and outgoing. It could be because Gower listens to his people.|ret||ret||tab|

"They, as a team, run their own department," said Gower of the warehouse employees. "They are able to come in and suggest improvements. Who knows how to do their job better than themselves?"|ret||ret||tab|

But that's not lip service. One of the employees' suggestions was to make the warehouse workers paid on commission based on the number of cases they pick. The commission plan instituted by the warehouse work team allowed Wil Fischer to reduce warehouse staffing from 12 to nine employees. |ret||ret||tab|

What could be a better way to treat your employees than to listen to them and increase their pay scale in the process?|ret||ret||tab|

Parrish and Gower get it. They understand that nobody wants to work in a mindless job that offers few rewards other than pay. |ret||ret||tab|

Pay alone is never enough to keep employees happy.|ret||ret||tab|

While happy, motivated bosses and employees really stand out, consider those on the other end of the spectrum. They stand out just as much.|ret||ret||tab|

Think about the clich about grumpy (or at least indifferent) workers at the Department of Motor Vehicles. How often do you find a friendly face at the DMV? True, dealing with people can be difficult at times, but you reap what you sow. |ret||ret||tab|

If you're indifferent toward me, then I will treat you the same way. That would make for a really long day and tiring job, wouldn't it?|ret||ret||tab|

If the DMV was a nongovernment business and had competition, it would have closed a long time ago because of a lack of customer service. |ret||ret||tab|

And it all goes back to management. |ret||ret||tab|

If a manager or owner led by example and demanded the same out of employees, then you'd see smiling faces. |ret||ret||tab|

Business owners and managers need to realize that when the product-buying public walks into a company where employees are friendly and happy, then they're more at home and they're more likely to spend our money there.|ret||ret||tab|

So sit down a watch the Packers play some weekend. |ret||ret||tab|

Favre may teach you something about leadership and how enjoying your job inspires others.|ret||ret||tab|

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