Mitch Morton Understands

[liz]

One of my favourite bits of the GF is Morton's goal where he's wheeling around and looking to give it off, but Goodsey is pointing to the goals, so he slots it. Shows the team mentality has gotten through to him, and it was also great leadership from Goodsey. Sweet stuff....

Both of Mitch's goals were like that. Thankfully he's learned to take notice of his captain!

[Xie Shan]

Re: Mitch Morton Understands

I reckon it is less about "no dickheads" and more about a practice of providing honest (even blunt) but constructive feedback. That seems to be one of the fundamental planks of the "Bloods culture" that the media is suddenly so interested in.

I agree, Liz. I was looking at a few articles a while back about Leading Teams, Ray McLean's company that has worked with many clubs including the Swans and Cats to improve their culture, and this seems to be one of the key tenets.

It's not for all clubs though, Aker apparently refused to have anything to do with it when it was used at the Bulldogs after Scott West gave him feedback that his dyed hair made him too much of an 'individual'. That's not really the essence of the system though, when it works, it's more aimed at addressing the 'core' behaviours that influence on-field performance. I think when the whole playing group buys into the system as the Swans have, it is a very powerful tool, and we saw the results!

[swanspant12]

Sydney's "No Dickheads" policy strikes again?

Morton was never a dickhead.

[liz]

I agree, Liz. I was looking at a few articles a while back about Leading Teams, Ray McLean's company that has worked with many clubs including the Swans and Cats to improve their culture, and this seems to be one of the key tenets.

It's not for all clubs though, Aker apparently refused to have anything to do with it when it was used at the Bulldogs after Scott West gave him feedback that his dyed hair made him too much of an 'individual'. That's not really the essence of the system though, when it works, it's more aimed at addressing the 'core' behaviours that influence on-field performance. I think when the whole playing group buys into the system as the Swans have, it is a very powerful tool, and we saw the results!

I don't take much of what Aker says at face value, but if that anecdote is based on any kind of fact, it demonstrates poor implementation of the concept, not a flaw in the concept itself. Mind you, the skill required to give constructive feedback that is positively received is very under-rated. Most people seem to think that anyone can do it but it is actually very challenging and easy to get wrong. I know that I've learned many hard lessons along the way in my professional career where I've got it wrong, for one reason or another.

[Bloody Hell]

I agree, Liz. I was looking at a few articles a while back about Leading Teams, Ray McLean's company that has worked with many clubs including the Swans and Cats to improve their culture, and this seems to be one of the key tenets.

It's not for all clubs though, Aker apparently refused to have anything to do with it when it was used at the Bulldogs after Scott West gave him feedback that his dyed hair made him too much of an 'individual'. That's not really the essence of the system though, when it works, it's more aimed at addressing the 'core' behaviours that influence on-field performance. I think when the whole playing group buys into the system as the Swans have, it is a very powerful tool, and we saw the results!

I think it has a lot to do with where our players come from.

New draftees, rookies and fringe players who are given a choice. And it's easy when you have success.

Recruit and pay the big bucks for the best players who have success doing what they do - might be more difficult to let them rack up 50 possessions and 5 goals in the ressies every week cause they don't buy into the Bloods ethos.

[Xie Shan]

I think the regular ressies watchers on this board might appreciate this video the most. Full credit to Mitch for putting in the effort required to break into the team, we all knew he had the talent, and boy did he grab his chance!

Sydney Swans | 2012 Grand Final | Morton post match - YouTube

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I don't take much of what Aker says at face value, but if that anecdote is based on any kind of fact, it demonstrates poor implementation of the concept, not a flaw in the concept itself. Mind you, the skill required to give constructive feedback that is positively received is very under-rated. Most people seem to think that anyone can do it but it is actually very challenging and easy to get wrong.

Couldn't agree more and negative feedback (even when given in a constructive manner) must be harder to take on board in an environment as replete with back-slappers as a AFL club in Melbourne.

[Kirkari]

I don't take much of what Aker says at face value, but if that anecdote is based on any kind of fact, it demonstrates poor implementation of the concept, not a flaw in the concept itself. Mind you, the skill required to give constructive feedback that is positively received is very under-rated. Most people seem to think that anyone can do it but it is actually very challenging and easy to get wrong. I know that I've learned many hard lessons along the way in my professional career where I've got it wrong, for one reason or another.

Agree Liz. I think the idiots at Bulldogs just used it as a way to bully Aker, not as a way to build consensus.

On Josh not knowing about it - surely that's as it should be. The leadership team gave the message, but that doesn't mean the whole playing list needed to know about it. Good leadership/professional development intervention doesn't usually include telling your peers all about it.