I bet you thought my blog would be about the upcoming University of Alabama Football season, Roll-Tide-Roll. WRONG, however still read on. I will not disappoint.
Individuals, friends, business associates, our country and the entire world; use the strategies of offense and defense all the time. The motivation is to WIN their quest/debate. Many times the parties have a major disagreement, on an emotionally level based on very sensitive subjects.
Some examples many include:
- Every aspect from which team will win in an sporting event.
- Today’s little dilemma with China, on who has the right to fly over certain air space. Both sides believe they are 100% RIGHT, neither side is convincing the other, to change sides or points of view.
This creates frustration for both sides and that is when the “Offense and Defense” strategies seem really kick-in.
Unfortunately, this is also when some personalities types and/or entities start to lose focus on WHY they want to win and the game becomes only to WIN at all costs. Human nature and personality traits are a power elements in all disagreements.
I can prove the point. Ask yourself this question; “Have you ever had a fight with your significant other, leading to emotional and personal attacks?”
My answer, “YES”.
The follow question is, “Have you ever forgotten the main issue that caused the fight and instead focused on JUST WINNING the battle?”
My answer, “YES”.
An old saying is; “Some people don’t care about right or wrong, they just care about winning at ALL costs”. Therefore, the strategy or plan for winning becomes a game of Offense and Defense with no real connection to legal, moral and ethical.
The University of Alabama Football team used to say, “Defense wins championship.” Is that true?
It depends on who you are talking at the time. It seems all Football teams have an offense and a defense. Can anyone win a championship without the those two elements? What about special teams? If you enter our great state of Alabama, best to avoid having this debate with anyone unless you have four-full racks of the famous Dreamland Pork Ribs, White Bread and a keg of beer.
Do you see what is happening hear with this line of conversation? A debate will ensue and no side will throw the final blow until the championship game is played that year. Then a winner or loser is officially named. You think the debate is over, NO WAY. It always rages forward because everyone has a justification for winning and losing even if it official.
So why this drawn out discussion on Offense and Defense? Personally I am working with and entity (group of people) who are having problems with a minority stakeholder. The minority stake holder wants to win a debate so they have 100% control all future decisions. The group realize giving the minority stake holder this right, eliminates their ability to make meaning future decisions in the best interest of the entire entity. Stall mate has happened and Offense and Defensive strategy being executed.
Minority stake holder is playing off the groups weakness of youth, inexperience, lack of knowledge on the subject and minimized funding. The minority stake holder is sending one legal letter after another offensively, aggressively and methodically attacking the group. The effect of this attack is putting fear in the hearts of their the masses especially the leaders. Fear is crippling when in a serious game, effecting lots of people and their real investments.
Now every decision that group has to make, always goes back to the FEAR of retaliation from the minority stake holder. The legal counsel of the entity is a friend of the board, doing the board of directors a favor of sort just representing them at a minimal legal fee. Where as the minority stake holder has a legal team ready to send another letter, manipulate the legal system and aggressively intimidate the masses. Not a level playing field obviously.
Being afraid to fight, not having a sound strategic approach, not having all the members of the entity aware of the complete and total consequences as well as always having to look behind your back; is a cause of WEAK leadership. It will lead to complete intimidation followed by losing the national championship of sorts. Just ask Payton Manning what happens to the focus and attitude of a football team when the first few plays of a Super Bowl go terribly wrong. Attitude developed by practice, drill and rehearsal to achieve perfection, helps to keep ones nerves steady, however you are now on the defense.
Folks, take my story and look at some battles happening now on a personal, local, national and world level. Have you picked a side? Who is being the aggressor and who seems to always be on the defensive? When the a loop hole is found that could lose the debate, who is diverting the issue to another subject to regroup. Who’s strategy seems to be focus every ones attention on my right hand completely, while they regroup with my left hand.
If we are couch potato’s in this game of sometimes, very high stakes. Then at least look at the situation with a clear, unfiltered, intelligent and strategic mind. If you are a player in this game, come to win by having done your due diligence OR let someone more capable lead the troops to battle.
If I have confused you and you don’t have a clue about what I am talking about, then you are learning. Be well.