Page 346 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

CHAPTER 10 • Understanding Groups and Managing Work Teams 345
Case appLICaTIon 2
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The Cardinal Way

hen you think of teams, do you automatically think includes such details as the position a catcher should take on
of sports teams? For most of us, that was our first a 3-2 count and the fine distinctions of 12 different ground
Wintroduction to the concept of teams. Well, there’s balls a second baseman might face.
one sports team that is a perfect illustration of what an effective • Coaches understand the importance of teaching the details.
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team is all about: the St. Louis Cardinals. What can we learn Team players are “taught” and “coached” in real-time
about effective teams from them? Their record speaks for itself: through a continual focus on improving their skills. Coaches
help players learn from immediate game experiences. The
the Cardinals, in the last four years (2011–2014), have won one pitching coaches and the batting coaches are right there
World Series and two pennants, and achieved four consecutive refining players’ behaviors during a game.
playoff spots for the first time; in the last 15 years (2000– • Culture of success, care, and support. This is an organiza-
2014), the team has been to the playoffs 11 times, participated tion with a deep history of success. There’s an air of con-
in more playoff games than fidence that they’re going to
any team since 2009, and had win. There’s the expectation
only one losing season; since WINNING Team—Winning that they will play the game the
1960, the Cards have had con- APProAch right way. Traditions are cel-
ebrated and embraced. Team
secutive losing seasons just members genuinely care about
once (yes, once) in 55 years, in each other. When a teammate
the years 1994 and 1995. The Cardinals organization is a well- was killed in a car accident at the end of the 2014 season, all
managed team, both on the field and behind the scenes. How pulled together in compassion and concern.
have they managed these accomplishments? Here are some The Cardinal Way is, at its very heart, an organizational
keys to their success: philosophy that guides all team members—from the team on
• Talent development. The Cardinals organization finds ways the field to the coach staff to the front office staff to the market-
to maximize its people and the skills they bring to the team. ing team and all others in the organization. Play ball!
Their talent development process often grabs less-gifted mi-
nor league players (for less money) and transforms them into
major-league contributors. How? Through its well-run farm Discussion Questions
system. Players in the Cards’ AAA, AA, and A leagues are
repeatedly reminded that this organization likes to win and 10-18 How does the St. Louis Cardinals organization epitomize
knows it can win. teamwork?
• Intense focus on the fundamentals (the tasks) of the game. 10-19 Do you think sports teams, like the St. Louis Cardinals, go
The Cardinals play fundamentally sound baseball—they through the stages of group development? Why or why not?
know their business and they execute. (Or, using the words 10-20 Using Exhibit 10–6 as your guide, discuss how the St. Louis
of the Nike slogan, they “Just Do It!) Players and coaches Cardinals organization creates effective teams.
religiously use the 86-page operations manual (titled, of 10-21 What could other organizations (even non-sports ones) learn
course, “The Cardinal Way”) as their guide. The manual from the St. Louis Cardinals?