June 2010 Feature

Monthly Lessons in Leadership from the Daily News

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Major League Error is Home Run for Leadership

Umpire Jim Joyce demonstrates how to handle an error with class and credibility

One of Major League Baseball’s most experienced and well-respected umpires, Jim Joyce, made a bad call at first base this month that cost Detroit Tiger’s Pitcher Armando Galarraga the illusive “perfect game.” The accomplishment is one where no opposing player reaches a base in nine innings, and it’s happened only 20 times in more than 100 years.

As the video replay confirmed, Mr. Joyce called the player safe, instead of what should have been the last out of the 21st perfect game. The umpire owned up immediately and with regret, saying right after the game, “I’m not sure what to say right now other than that probably was the most important call of my career, and I missed it.”

The disappointment among baseball fans was universal, and some “boos” from the crowd were heard. Quickly though, a larger message emerged from the story and the “boos” turned into cheers, and a person’s reputation turned from sullied to sterling. Just days after the incident, Joyce was voted the best umpire in the game by an ESPN poll. How this happened is a case study in leadership, for at least three reasons. 

First, you don’t know a person’s true character until it is tested under extreme duress. Ask any special-forces member, combat veteran, police officer, or fire fighter. They learn quickly and exactly who they can trust and who they can’t. The true test of leadership comes under fire, and you show what you’re really made of. 

Second, credibility is earned—not lost—when when mistakes are admitted and owned. Hedging, shifting blame, making excuses, and hiding are glaring indications that the leader is untrustworthy. Unless the observer is biased (e.g., politically invested or psychologically influenced by the “halo effect”), the loss of reputation is immediate and long lasting. Followers flee or use extreme caution in their behaviors after such an episode, eroding innovation and discretionary effort in the future. 

Third, attracted by the leader’s authenticity and inspired by his courage, people come to a leader’s support voluntarily when he admits error (even potential detractors). For example, the fans honored Mr. Joyce with applause when he came out on the field the next time. In an honorable and respectful act by the Tigers, the offended pitcher (a class act himself for how he reacted to the call) was sent to the mound by his team at the start of the very next game to present the starting lineup and offer his support to Mr. Joyce.    

While a perfect game is rare, so unfortunately is the leader who owns his mistakes this quickly, publicly, and completely. Leaders will make mistakes. If they don’t, they’re not trying hard enough.  

Mr. Joyce may officially go down in history as the umpire who blew a once-in-lifetime call, but he should be remembered as a glowing example of how to live up to one’s values and have the courage to face the consequences of one’s mistakes. If more leaders would do this, we’d live in a better, more productive world. So the next time this happens to you, remember Mr. Joyce, and rise to the occasion. It’s hard work, and it’s your job.