Extraordinary Measures

Organizations develop a culture that flows from the top down.  When leadership is undisciplined and ill-prepared, that translates into chaotic institutional performance. Focused management with clear vision, clear communication, and habits based on that culture of excellence creates an environment where success follows.

Tonight, Melrose kicks off the second half of the regular season, traveling to Winchester, a first division Middlesex League team that has taken extraordinary measures (like bringing in college coaches) to compete. Melrose should expect a large and emotional crowd.

Division 2 Standings

Consequently, Winchester has enjoyed early success. Like Melrose, they have improved their non-league schedule (including AC, Andover, and Lynnfield) on the pathway to becoming an elite team.

In "The Power of Habit", Charles Duhigg discusses the role of individual, organizational, and society habit, including positive and negative examples. For example, in 1987, the catastrophic London Underground fire that claimed thirty-one lives resulted from a culture of fiefdoms, poor organizational communication, and no unified safety plan. Conversely, Starbucks fosters a culture of finding solutions based on "LATTE".  Employees are expected to LISTEN, ACKNOWLEDGE problems, TAKE ACTION, THANK customers and EXPLAIN what went wrong to prevent recurrences.

As the Lady Raiders head into the second half of the season, they continue to come together and reinforce successful habits.