In a world where change is a constant, there still remain certainties in life; death, taxes and the role that blocking and tackling play in determining success. Of course, the latter is never static as there is no right or wrong way to use blocking and tackling to effectively execute business decisions or operational outcomes. Perhaps this was never as apparent as with Al Davis, the unconventional owner of the Oakland Raiders who passed away earlier this month.
“Just win, baby” became the battle cry of Davis, who took his team to five Super Bowls (winning three) during his reign of the “bad boys” from Oakland. In a day and age where some have called for youth sports to stop keeping score because it creates winners and losers, Davis rallied his team and fans with calls to win at any cost because he understood that winning matters.
This was his philosophy from the beginning as head coach of the Raiders in 1963 and during the run of Raiders dominance in the AFL. After his hard knock approach to leadership became the catalyst for the merger between the AFL and the NFL, the philosophy of winning continued to produce results, albeit sometimes in an unconventional way.
While many view Davis as an outlaw of sorts, this Raider broke down many barriers. In 1968, Eldridge Dickey became the first black quarterback selected in the first round. Twenty years later, Art Shell became the first black head coach in NFL history. Just years earlier, Tom Flores became the first Hispanic head coach, leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory in 1980. This was about the time he hired Amy Trask, the first female executive in the NFL.
Not one to hold press conferences, his good deeds often went unheralded. As Lyle Alzado was dying of brain cancer, it was Al Davis who paid his medical bills.Those who were too old, such as George Blanda, found a home with the Raiders for whom he played until he was 48. Those who were too young, such as John Madden, were taken under Davis' wing and delivered several division championships and a 1976 Super Bowl.
In the eyes of Al Davis there were two rules, prominently displayed on the team blackboard in the locker room. Rule 1: Show up on Sundays. Rule 2: Stay out of trouble with the law. The unwritten rule in Raider Nation was that if you obeyed Rule 1 then Rule 2 was flexible.
Despite his unconventional methods, blocking and tackling was essential for success on the field. He placed less importance on playbooks and more on playmakers than most teams. He believed that the right people would make a difference. As discussed in Re-Adjusted: 20 Essential Rules To Take Your Claims Organization From Ordinary to Extraordinary, success will be derived from having the right people in the right position. The Raiders consistently proved this, with greats such as Ken Stabler, Lyle Alzado, John Matuszak and Ted Hendricks.
Perhaps his greatest legacy will be that he showed his peers that doing things differently can make a profound change. He understood that the only constant in life is change and that change management can transform organizations. He not only transformed the Raider Nation, but the entire National Football League with a maverick style that, while not always popular with fellow owners or league executives, will be missed.
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