How Michael Vick Can Turn Himself Around

Stop the world. Michael Vick wants to get back on.

More than a year since he went to jail on dog fighting charges, he is preparing his re-entry into a world that no longer cares if he succeeds. However, according to his appearance in front of a bankruptcy judge in early April, he is basing his ability to pay off his creditors on becoming a quarterback in the NFL.

Returning to a leadership role of that nature won't be easy, though, according to executive coach Michael Schutzler, author of the book Inspiring Excellence - A Path to Exceptional Leadership from Book Publisher's Network (www.BlueSevenPartners.com).

"Leadership isn't something you get with a title or a job," he said. "Leadership is a relationship. In Michael's case as a quarterback, his relationship with his teammates, fans, and coaches. After being humbled by his conviction and bankruptcy, returning to a leadership role will require tapping that new reservoir of humility for years to come."

Schutzler believes that leadership is learned behavior.

"If you WANT to lead well, then you must PRACTICE the skills," he said. "It's clear that Michael Vick has a natural desire to lead. The difference between great leaders and the rest is placing a higher value on those whom you motivate and inspire than on yourself. To date, Michael has learned much about power - both good and bad - but he has not had much opportunity to learn about leadership."

Schutzler's view of leadership is different from that of that many academics and executive coaches. His pragmatic approach to leadership includes:

• Leadership isn't a character trait. It's a learned behavior.
• There are only four essential skills - listening, storytelling, negotiating, and assessing people - each easily practiced
• Those four skills serve as the foundation for successfully attracting talent, reaching consensus, making tough choices, and harnessing ambition
• Deliberate practice of these skills and functions is already exceptional leadership

Good judgment is a key ingredient in exceptional leadership, but it isn't something that happens on its own, Schutzler said.

"More than anything, good judgment comes from listening," he added. "I don't mean hearing well. I mean putting down your opinions, your wants, your concerns, and paying very close attention to the situation or person you are assessing. When you do that, you often face deep doubt. That doubt held at bay with a fear of failure leads to bravado and leads to poor judgment. But when that doubt is observed and embraced it becomes your source of greatness. Once Michael Vick fully accepts responsibility for his behavior and acknowledges that the role of quarterback is a privilege given by his coaches, teammates and fans, he takes the first step on a path to leadership excellence."

Michael Schutzler is a successful business coach with more than a dozen years experience coaching and mentoring CEOs, executives, and board members. Michael developed a passion for and expertise in leadership over the course of twenty-five years in a wide variety of executive and management roles as an entrepreneur and in notable companies, including Harris Corporation, RR Donnelley & Sons, Classmates.com, and RealNetworks. Michael has also served in leadership roles in nonprofit organizations and public school committees. He holds an MBA in Finance and Economics from the W. E. Simon School at University of Rochester and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

For more information visit www.BlueSevenPartners.com