How the NY Yankees pick their Captains

Written by Ryan Walter
Sunday, 15 June 2008 13:04
Recently I found a portion of the book Management Wisdom from the NY Yankees Dynasty fascinating. The book discusses how the Yankees picked their captains. Apparently there were eight Yankee captains between 1922 and 2004. They were officially designated captain for four reasons: 1. Their accomplishments exceeded the accomplishments of their peers. 2. They inspired others to superior performance. 3. They embodied the core values of the organization. 4. They were recognized and respected as team leaders by their teammates. Players needed to fulfill all of these requirements before management would bestow the title of captain. At times there was no Yankee captain as no player on the team at the time lived up to the role. Among the most inspiring of the team captains are Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter, captain of the current squad. Captains are first recognized and respected as leaders by their teammates. Organizations must acknowledge and support these informal leaders.  The captain is a role model who links traditional winning ways to current conditions.Leaders are anointed and not appointed: They are recognized by fellow employees as outstanding workers, great people and role models for the organization's values (modified from Management Wisdom from the NY Yankees Dynasty). It shouldn't surprise us that high performance and leadership go hand in glove, just as the Yankees look for their captains. During my NHL playing career I can know recognize that these 4 methods of selecting captains were certainly part of how NHL teams picked their leaders also. I was named captain in my second season in the NHL and I always thought that this was a bit early. But looking through this Yankee criteria I to some small degree fit into each of these 4 factors. Finally, look around at some of the leaders that you really respect? These 4 elements may play a part or at least may be the lense that you view their superior leadership through.