Living in a fool’s paradise - Things That Matter column

Whenever I press pause and reflect on what’s happening within sport (to be honest not only sport but life in general) here in T&T, I get the feeling that we are living in a fool’s paradise.

When I listen to people who are involved in sport and who claim to love sport, I wonder if they really believe what they are saying or are unconditionally committed to it. Sometimes I just want to say “No....  stop! Everything is not alright and going great. What planet are you on?”

Who is to blame for the lack of awareness ?

In my view the  lack of awareness is due to the fact that too many individuals in leadership and governance positions are out of touch with the effect of their decisions and aren’t in tune with what is really happening and what are the real issues. I suppose it is a human condition the tendency to be poor judges of our own actions and accomplishments.

I read recently where research proves that people routinely “shoot the messenger”. Bearers of bad news, even when they aren’t responsible for it, tend to be blamed and to have negative feelings directed toward them. The result is that

people soften bad news to make it sound better, or avoid passing it along to leaders. The end result is leadership isolated from reality.

It is difficult to accept that leaders don’t know that their followers watch and react to just about everything they say and do.

Too many leaders wield power simply for wielding it sake—they have power and therefore can use it. It is hard enough as it is to get things done without being able to motivate people to make it happen. Leaders who live in a fool’s paradise motivate people on the basis of fear. No organisation can be transparent, accountable and highly motivated if it is fear based.

There are people who thrive on formal authority and position and have no qualms wielding their power even if it isn’t in the best interest of their sport, athletes or organisation.

However even in a fear based environment real change happens when individuals are willing to lay it on the line and say; “I am going to make this happen I may get punished. But I don’t care. Making this happen is more important to me than anything. I am going to make it happen, whatever it takes.”

Real change happens when there is a commitment to make it happen, come what may. Not many people are prepared to make a definite commitment because they are afraid of the consequences to their career, social standing, status, friends, income or access to the boss or leader. They are afraid of being branded a troublemaker. Real change happens when people with the passion and energy stand up and be counted. But how many people are prepared to stand up for what they believe is right or for the values that they believe in?

Recently we saw first-hand an example of what can happen when one person takes a stand and says; “I am going to make this happen. I may perish in the course of it, but I am going to make it happen, whatever it takes.” One person unafraid to stand up and say, “This is worth doing.”

Power can come from a commitment to an idea and not only from a formal position or authority. Leaders set the tone and their words and actions affect the environment. It is imperative that leaders be in tune with reality. Living in a fool’s paradise is detrimental to any organisation be it national, sport, club, community, amateur or professional.