The player with the coat of many colours

There is a natural instinct for managers, coaches, leaders and parents to develop or show a special kind of attention or likeness for one or some individuals in their team, squad or family.

This could be as a result of the person’s looks, skills, intellectual capabilities, etc. This clearly played out in the famous bible story of Jacob and his brothers in Genesis 37.

Jacob loved Joseph deeply relative to his brothers so much so that Jacob gave Joseph a priceless gift of a Coat of many colours.

Let’s make Jacob the head coach and Joseph and his brothers, the players. The head coach’s actions depicted a clear act of favouritism towards Joseph (by giving Joseph special coat of many colours). Favouritism has dire consequences for a team or family.

Favouritism:

• Makes coaches very uncomfortable. When Joseph told Jacob about the dream Jacob was disturbed but kept it to himself. He could not address the team about issue because he loved Joseph so much. Genesis 37:10.
• Is a fertile ground for nurturing anger and envy amongst team members. Joseph was envied by his brothers. Envy destroys unity. Without unity no team can survive. A house (team) divided against itself cannot stand.
• Players or team members lose trust and respect for their coach and they take matters into their own hands. Joseph’s brothers plotted to do away with Joseph without the knowledge of their father (coach).
• Makes other team members lose sight of their strength, blessings and capabilities. Joseph’s bothers were also very blessed and gifted. They also had the gift of interpretating dreams. But this was clouded by envy and bitterness. Everybody in your team is unique in his own way. Never make them feel neglected.

Every leader must take people management very seriously and prevent any act or perception of favouritism. Everybody is very important in the team.

Favouritism hurts the leader, isolates player and destroys the team. The team member you show less attention to today, could be the team’s hero tomorrow. Jacob loved Joseph more, but Jesus Christ came from the line of another son (Judah).

The writer is Elorm Attipoe (CAF Coach)