Working for a great organization and for great people - from one of the greatest

 

Last week's FR about bosses generated a lot of visits to the site (... keeping in mind I only talked about the bosses from my first fifteen years. I still have a lot to share about the ones from the last 20 years!)

Last night, I listened to speech from one of the greatest American football players of all time, in a replay of his of "hall of fame" induction ceremony. That speech inspired me to follow up on last week's subject about great bosses with a reflection about how it feels to work for a great organization and for great people.

 
Story Line*: 

He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver ever and one of the greatest players in National Football League history. He owns every significant receiving mark: receptions (1,549); receiving yards (22,895 yards); most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (14); total touchdowns (208); and combined net yards (23,546). Jerry Rice was selected in Pro Ball 13 out of his 20 seasons. He played in eight conference championships and four Super Bowls.

This year Jerry Rice was inducted in NFL Hall of Fame, and also in 49ers Hall of Fame. In his acceptance speeches on both occasions, he recounted memories of working for a great organization and for a great boss.

"It was a dream come true to be drafted by the 49ers, and I'm so proud to be part of such a classy organization, with the greatest owner ever, Eddie DeBartolo. The greatest coach of all time, Bill Walsh, and the greatest fans. There will never be another organization like that in the history of sports. To have two guys like that, who were all about winning."

"Eddie would say, I'll give you guys everything you want. You're going to have the best hotels, the best planes to travel on. You're going to go a day early to the East Coast. All I want is for you to do is win championships. Eddie was like that 12th man. He loved football, loved his players even more, and he wanted to win. And, man, did the 49ers win under Eddie DeBartolo. Five Super Bowls in 12 years."

"Every player knew nothing was finer than to be a 49er, and some was willing to take pay cuts to play there. We were the envy of the NFL, the guys they said wore wing tips and carried briefcases because we were a first-class operation and meant business."

"Just like he did after every game, Eddie has greeted players like Joe Montana, Steve Young, Fred Dean and me in Canton, Ohio. He deserves to be standing with us as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thank you, Eddie. I love you and your family, your wife Candy, and your daughters."

"I miss Bill Walsh every day of my life. I know he's up there looking down from heaven today smiling. What can I say about the genius, the legend? He was like magic. He would cast a spell on you just being in his presence. You wanted to win for this guy. There was just something about him, and he knew how to get the best out of his football players."

"Bill is the reason I played in the NFL. He was like a father to me, someone I could talk to about relationships and business or professional football. I never wanted to let my father down, and I was afraid to let Bill Walsh down. He taught us to be perfect. If you failed to be perfect, then excellence would be within your grasp. He had every gift but length of years."

 
Side Note: Just about the time I was ready to send today's article, I received a note from a great teacher and inspiring person who has also become a good friend. The note refers to last week's FR about bosses. The only reason I share it is because of incredibly deep meaning and the powerful message reflected in the note.

"Thank you so very much for sharing this Friday Reflection with us.  How inspiring!!!  I was moved by your generous acknowledgment of each of these terrific bosses and the life lessons each of them had to offer you.  Thanks for passing them on.  While each of these people are impressive human beings, for sure, I hope that you recognize that you 'created, promoted, or allowed' them to have this impact on you.  It was who you were  that attracted each of them to you in special ways - so that you could learn from them, and I would suspect, they from you."

 
* Sections from Jerry Rice Hall of Fame Speech
 
 

Comments

[Chou J]

Despite thier big salaries and bonuses, how they treated matter to the players, seems more so. Something to learn.

[Ed]

"and some was willing to take pay cuts to play there"

Yes, I have done that. Having a good boss and a good organization is sooooo.... good for mental health and happy home life. Thanks for sharing

[anon]

Eddie would say, I'll give you guys everything you want. You're going to have the best hotels, the best planes to travel on. You're going to go a day early to the East Coast. All I want is for you to do is win championships. Eddie was like that 12th man. He loved football, loved his players even more, and he wanted to win. And, man, did the 49ers win under Eddie DeBartolo. Five Super Bowls in 12 years."

[Friend from Penang]

AS far as the profound message from your teacher and last week reflection:
Thanks for sharing. How true...it goes both ways.........some tough or unreasonable bosses also became friends finally..........that what life can be..........

[ST]

If this ( a note from your teacher) is the compliment you received from sharing your experiences with first 15 bosses, I wonder about the remaining 20?
Excellent.

[Longtime Fan from London]

What an achievement and how satisfied and proud you must feel. One believes, being a responsible parent, to bring up your children in the best possible way, be a good human being yourself, was the most satisfying feeling in life. You have achieved that and much much more. Undoubtedly your stories through Friday Reflection proves that, with all the comments written by so many fans all over the world. I am sure this must provide a huge inspiration to your children too which we have seen in few articles written by your son.
Congratulations and keep it coming

[Rami]

Both stories are so appropriate for Bosses Day.

[Truthful]

we can all see what happened to 49ers after bin counters took over. Zero SuperBall and no playoffs. Same things happened to some great companies and they still do not understand why....

[Sam]

There is and old saying which goes" Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are". I think the same goes for one's role models. Thanks Anand for sharing the people who inspire you as that teaches a lot about what values to hold dearly in life!

[From Mainland China]

For the boss FR, I like the ‘own your business’ most.
Although there may be some tips that will suit specific individual boss, you have to be yourself.
Then no matter which boss you have, generally you can work well with them.
So the only way to do it well is own your business, then you could be passionate, responsible, careful and etc.
It is all about learn how to be a good person before how to do a job well.

For the great people and great org, I agree with that.
Money is not the only thing people work for, and there are other things like happiness one cannot buy with money.