If only BP CEO Tony Hayward had some of umpire Jim Joyce's humanity. Hayward's firm blew a deepwater oil well with devastating consequences, especially for those who lost their lives aboard the Deepwater Horizon as well as their families. Every time he speaks, he loses credibility and only seems to make matters worse. This is what happens when CEOs sacrifice common sense and humanity enroute to the top and are then surrounded in crisis by too many lawyers and equivocators.
Joyce blew a call in a baseball game, robbing a pitcher and his fans of a perfect game. He apologized immediately and with a level of class, dignity, and speed not frequently seen these days. No hedging, no caveats, and no lawyers. Yes, Hayward's challenges are far more complex than those faced by Joyce, but the need for authenticity and humanity remain as fundamentally simple as they are essential to effective leadership.
Joyce blew a call in a baseball game, robbing a pitcher and his fans of a perfect game. He apologized immediately and with a level of class, dignity, and speed not frequently seen these days. No hedging, no caveats, and no lawyers. Yes, Hayward's challenges are far more complex than those faced by Joyce, but the need for authenticity and humanity remain as fundamentally simple as they are essential to effective leadership.