Leadership … it means many things to different people. History has produced great leaders: Cleopatra, Nelli McClung, Mother Theresa, Gloria Steinem, Benazir Bhutto... all great leaders in their time. What of the leaders of today? What makes an effective leader today? Whether you are leading your nation, your organization, or your team, what make people stop and listen to what you have to say?
Effective communication, superior problem solving skills, and an ability to visualize the big picture … sounds like a job description, right? It is, natural leaders do this without ever realizing it! Somehow leaders find ways to motivate their teams, to make them believe that they are on the right path, to complete the tasks required to move the team forward. To be an effective leader, you have to have confidence in yourself, your product and your team! You also must realize it is not about you, it is about the team’s ultimate success and making them look good. At the end of the day, that is what will make you a successful leader of a great team.
Doug Brown was just such a leader with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers both on and off the field. Vice-president and general manager Joe Mack, commented on Brown’s leadership on the occasion of his retirement: “Doug represented this organization with absolute, consummate professionalism and was the definition of a leader both on and off the field. He had a tremendous career in every facet and we sincerely thank him for everything he has done for this organization.” Brown will be inducted into the Blue Bomber Hall of Fame at a legacy dinner on June 18, 2012. This is an honour usually bestowed upon players after having been retired at least three years. Because his contributions to the Football Club and his community have been so extensive, the three year wait was waived for only the third time!
His stats … Brown hails from New Westminister, BC and played college football at Simon Fraser University. He found his way to Winnipeg after a being drafted by Calgary after playing for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins. In 2001, much to our good fortune he was traded to Winnipeg and thus began the Doug Brown era.
His awards … I don’t have enough paper. Suffice to say that Brown is an award winning player who has been dedicated to his team and his community and that makes Brown the consummate professional. Brown’s friendly face can be seen just about everywhere in this town, at the local Safeway, at appearances for his community or just walking his dog. He has a smile and a hello for just about any ‘Pegger and although he is not a hometown boy, Winnipeg loves this guy!
MAVA proudly presents Doug Brown as he speaks to us about Leading Your Team. Join us for an exciting time with Winnipeg’s Most Valuable Person on May 9, 2012 at the Norwood Hotel. Registration details to follow.
April 2012