It may be time for USA Gymnastics to consider a TEAM of individuals to become interim leaders until a permanent CEO can be found.
Who knows, maybe the new CEO and COO would be part of this team.
To be an effective leader you need to preach patience and planning. Very often, when I have rushed to make a decision the result is usually less than optimal. Being patient does not mean you are delaying or avoiding the inevitable. It is just waiting until you have the best information at hand. It is remembering the lesson of past mistakes and implementing a plan for the future.
The reality is that anyone WE (in the gymnastics world) would really want as CEO would have business interests, sit on Boards of companies, or possibly currently serving in congress. They would not be able to drop everything and start work at USA Gymnastics. It will take at least 6 months for them to divest their interests, sell shares or put things in a blind trust to be ready to accept a leadership role. This is not like applying for a job at Best Buy where you fill out your application on a Tuesday and can start a shift on Saturday. It is going to take time to find the right person. Give that person time to transition out of their current situation and into a leadership role at USA Gymnastics.
Rushing to get someone at the top is not going to help us.
Do I know someone who would be a great CEO? Yes. I know a few great candidates. Do I know a group of people who would make a great transition team? Yes.
To know what we want in the transition team we need to know what we would want for CEO. Please remember, these are my ideas, I am speaking for no one other than myself. Please feel free to share YOUR ideas in the comment section.
- Come from INSIDE the industry. They need to be able to speak our language.
- Be a great communicator for both INSIDE and OUTSIDE communications.
- Have a strong background in business and understand the complex financial situation USA Gymnastics is in.
- Have experience working with a Board of Directors.
- Be a team player. Not a bully. The National office is understaffed and I am sure morale is pretty low. They need someone they can rally behind.
- Be able to build alliances through out the sport (between NCAA, Suppliers, and different disciplines)
- Values Education. We need to continue to educate our professionals. Not just on safety and welfare but on technique and science.
- Be able to speak before US Congress, legal teams, and World Leaders.
- Work with Athletes, Professional Members and Club Owners to see our sport grow and become the gold standard in athlete safety.
- Be able to reach out to potential sponsors.
- Understand the true meaning of “Transparency” and “empowerment”
The transition team needs to start sooner rather than later. An added benefit of a TEAM approach is that it is easier to replace one member of a team instead of the head of the organization. The transition team will need to be diverse to fill all those needs. They need to be diplomats not bullies.
Strategic thinkers who will be able to implement short and long term plans. Build morale in the office and build confidence in the gymnastics community. Hire great minds, not just who is available and cheap. Work with the legal team and Board of Directors to navigate the legal issues facing USA Gymnastics. Work with Club Owners and Professional Members ensuring their voices are heard and that the organization reflects the needs of the membership.
Work with the survivors and their families. Help them find closure and have them help the federation move forward and put policies in place that would make us all safer.
As a coach, I have spent my career building people up. The mark of a good leader is that they work to make EVERYONE around them better. I believe in what USA Gymnastics can be. What it should be. I think we can find a team and a leader who can build it up. Not burn it down. Individuals who will replace the parts that are not working. Growth and Change are always difficult but necessary. USA Gymnastics has made far too many mistakes in it’s rush to find a fast solution. If we do not get this next one right- there is probably not going to be another chance.
