Why demanding discipline is a must

We need discipline, and we know we need it. Oh, we might not like it while it's happening. But I think, deep down inside, we know it's a necessary ingredient to succeed. And, if the discipline is fair and consistent, chances are pretty good that we'll appreciate and respect those who demand it of us. The coach had a young man who crossed the line. As he had a history of breaking training rules and disrespecting teammates and coaches, he decided it was time for the young man to move on. With complete confidence and after years of experience, the coach had learned this: Leaders need to hold every member of their team accountable for their actions. If they don't, they enable poor decisions, delay growth and maturity and create a team-trust nightmare. After the decision was made, the coach called the young man in to let him know of his decision. The meeting wasn't pretty. And how did the young man's parents react to the decision? Let's just say he wasn't on the shortlist to be invited into their home for tea and crumpets. Had they done their due diligence and disciplined their son at home, perhaps the young man wouldn't have lost opportunities to develop his skills and become a respected member of his team. A few years after graduation, there was a knock on the coach's door. As if ready to salute, the young man he had kicked off the team said 'Hello' and asked if he could talk. As if driven by a desire to repent, he proceeded to thank the coach for opening his eyes to the destructive forces of his selfishness and immaturity. He thanked the coach for holding him accountable for his actions. He said he was able to manipulate his way through all kinds of trouble and got pretty good at it. Though he understood the poor choices he made rested on his shoulders, if others hadn't let him slide, maybe he wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble over the years. The young man didn't like the discipline at the time but eventually saw the light. He realized it was harsh but fair and found it necessary to apologize for his actions. And how did the coach feel about the parent's reaction? He was fine. He wasn't into tea and crumpets anyway. Tony Legando is a lifelong educator, a hall of fame football coach and author of "To Lead a Good Life" and "Fables for Young Leaders." He is also a public speaker who has inspired leaders for many years. Check out his website at tonylegando.com or contact him at legandot@gmail.com.