A noble twist on leadership
THE news was hardly shocking, but the score could not be denied.
The Kangaroos had suffered yet another hiding and, when you lose by a lot in the AFL, there is just nowhere to hide.
So it came as no surprise that coach David Noble let the players know (in no uncertain terms apparently) exactly what he thought of their efforts on the field of play that day.
Behind closed doors, by all reports, Noble delivered a “good old-fashioned spray”.
It’s a visceral description of internal communication. Not something that makes you wish you were in the room.
Noble is obviously not impressed with their level of skill, or their application. It really does look like the players have just not bought into the game plan. This is probably not true and, if you were Noble, you would be frustrated.
He is the one who has to front up to the press. He is under the microscope when things are going this badly, again.
Plenty of older heads in the industry were saying that the coach’s spray was probably warranted. It may even have been overdue?
Of course, only the players and staff present will know precisely what a Noble spray might feel like, but people who have played the game at any level, and lost a match by 10 goals or so, will have a bit of an inkling. This is oldschool leadership.
So, it came as a bit of a surprise to discover that Noble had apologised for his reaction. He took time to reflect, and apparently he was disappointed with himself.
With the benefit of hindsight, it was his opinion that he had gone too far with the finger pointing.
Nobody could have predicted this twist! A professional leader, apologising for behaving like a politician in Question Time?
It is fair to say this rocked the football world.
This backdown raises a number of questions for football (and nonfootball) people.
What kind of a leader actively rethinks their communication choices? Is asking forgiveness a sign of weakness?
Does a backdown win back confidence, or undermine your position even further?
And probably the most confronting of all . . .
Does the retraction of a good old-fashioned spray set a precedent of expectation for football people to actively engage in regular self-reflection?
In the middle of a federal election, cripes, the implications are shocking. Quick as a flash, captain Jack Ziebell fronted the press and provided a stoic defence of his coach.
“. . . I don’t think that he needed to apologise . . . He’s created such a supportive encouraging learning environment for our group that’s really been fantastic to work in,” Ziebell said.
So, captain Jack is happy with Noble, but North Melbourne is second last on the ladder. It is simply not winning games.
Are members supposed to be thrilled the players are working in a “supportive encouraging learning environment” while they’re wasting money on home and away trips? Cue all the jokes about how the change rooms have been designated “safe spaces” and instead of a rousing version of the club song, the boys will be listening to meditation music.
Forget the old “shin-boner spirit”, the new esprit de corps is “emotional intelligence”.
But no. The Kangaroos are not rearranging potpourri, they are clearly deep inside the hall of mirrors. Pretty much ever since James Brayshaw saved them they have been fighting for survival.
They have been a club in search of a brand for a long, long time now. They are a lifetime away from Carey and light years from Barassi.
Theatrical, uncompromising, and completely individual.
Barassi was the coach who shaped that club. Antagonistic, narcissistic, he wrangled Blight and defined a sense of professionalism and accountability. He chose flares and sunglasses on grand final day, but he delivered two premierships to Arden Street.
That’s 45 years ago. Times have changed and so has Australia.
The Noble spray retraction is a reminder that professionals who cannot control their emotions in critical moments, are completely unprofessional.
Leadership is not about fashion; it is about putting in the hard work.
Reflection and realignment is smarter than being a bully with no plan for the future.
IT CAME AS A BIT OF A SURPRISE TO DISCOVER THAT NOBLE HAD APOLOGISED FOR HIS REACTION. HE TOOK TIME TO REFLECT, AND APPARENTLY HE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH HIMSELF.