Roger Goodell is the commissioner of the National Football League. Last week I watched his press conference from the Super Bowl. It was the first time I had the opportunity to hear him speak. I was very curious due to some recent developments in the NFL world. My impression of Commissioner Goodell was not positive. I based this position upon his performance as a manager and the guidelines for good management expressed in my book “Theory You”.

THE RAY RICE MATTER

Ray Rice is a former player for the Baltimore Ravens. He was suspended for two games by Mr. Goodell for punching his wife in a hotel elevator and crudely dragging her unconscious from the elevator. The exit from the elevator was captured on film by the hotel’s security. In a meeting with Mr. Goodell prior to his suspension Mr. Rice acknowledged he struck his wife in the elevator and knocked her out. Mr. Goodell then announced the two game suspension. When the suspension became public the media and a number of groups attacked Mr. Goodell for his leniency in the matter. The National Organization of Women [NOW] was very critical of Mr. Goodell. The NFL was portrayed as turning a deaf ear towards violence against women. The NFL has had a number of cases of violence against women by their players in recent years.

After the suspension was announced a video surfaced showing Mr. Rice striking his wife with his fist while in the elevator. The video was shocking to all who viewed it, and it was seen by millions either on the news or via the internet. The anger over the lenient two game suspension intensified. Mr. Goodell then suspended Mr. Rice for the entire season based upon “new evidence”. The evidence was not new; it was only the delivery system that changed. The evidence went from Mr. Rice verbally testifying that he struck his wife to video evidence of the blow. No facts changed. The only change was a video that was seen by millions. Mr. Rice is certainly responsible for his actions and deserved punishment. However, the new suspension, one year banned from the league came about in my opinion and the opinion of many others solely to protect Mr. Goodell from further criticism and not to properly punish Mr. Rice. The NFL Player’s Association attacked Mr. Goodell for trying to punish Mr. Rice a second time for the same offense. The NFLPA was successful in having the one year suspension overturned.

At his Super Bowl press conference Mr. Goodell said his awareness and concern about violence against women is “a lot better today”. It was stunning to hear him admit his awareness of the issue was not good prior to the video given the fact that there were a large number of similar incidents in the past in the league.

His failure as a manager stems from the following three points. First, he had enough information to make a good decision prior to the video becoming public and he failed to do so. Second, he tried to make a bad decision better. In my book “Theory You” I point out you should never deceive yourself after a bad decision. The second decision was an attempt to “chase the first bad decision”. Third, a good manager is consistent. Mr. Goodell has been very inconsistent in the Ray Rice matter as well as other matters.

“DEFLATE-GATE”

This was the big issue in the two weeks leading up to the game. Did the New England Patriots deflate footballs to gain a competitive advantage? When asked a series of questions related to this matter including whether footballs have ever been tested at any other games than the recent AFC Championship Game Mr. Goodell replied: “I don’t know the answer to that question”. He “presumed” the independent investigator would look into that. Presumed. He also was criticized by the owner of the New England team for leaks that came from his office. This comment was shocking in light of all the media coverage.

As I point out above – you need enough information to make a good decision. By admitting he did not know the testing protocol for the league Mr. Goodell publicly admitted he did not have enough information to make a good decision. He should know the protocol when the issue is the most controversial item at his league’s most important venue. Second, a good manager respects confidentiality. The NFL failed in this regard and as the senior manager the blame falls on Mr. Goodell.

MANAGER FAILURES

Mr. Goodell fails as a manager on a number of counts:

  1. The culture he has created in the NFL has demonstrated a weak regard for women via the league’s attitude toward violence against women by its players as exemplified in the Ray Rice case
  2. He failed twice to make good decisions in the Ray Rice matter; the first was far too lenient, and the second was to protect his image and the league’s image. Per my book he “chased after a bad decision” and made it worse.
  3. He has been inconsistent, on the Ray Rice matter and others. He had his decision on the New Orleans Saints bounty program overturned by an independent counsel.
  4. His lack of proper information gathering in the deflated football issue was a real concern
  5. He has failed to create a respect for confidentiality in his office as demonstrated by the leaks re: the deflated footballs
  6. Finally, his presentation skill, or lack of skill in his press conference was also a concern. He appeared as if it was just a routine press conference and not one with huge issues at stake. He appeared poorly prepared.

In the past year he has weakened relationships with:

  • The players union
  • The players
  • Women
  • Several of the owners
  • The media / press
  • The general public

Mr. Goodell appears to manage by the “Do as I say” philosophy and not the better philosophy of “Do as I do”. It will be very interesting to see how the “Deflate-Gate” issue is finally resolved and the assessment of his role as a manager in the case…a manager in a very large, public and profitable enterprise.

WE can learn from those who do well and also those who do not perform well. The past year in the NFL represents an opportunity for an aspiring manager to learn some valuable lessons. The actions of Mr. Goodell are well-documented and available for review by all managers and aspiring managers.