The Kentucky Derby Rule

“Never Bring a Jackass to the Kentucky Derby”

This is an excerpt from Commonsense Rules for Everyday Leaders, a book that contains 100 similar rules that was written by Tony DeMeo.  The full text of The Kentucky Derby Rule is available at www.tonydemeo.com . Commonsense Rules for Everyday Leaders can be purchased on Coach DeMeo’s web site and also at Amazon.com.

The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious race in “the Sport of Kings.” There is no greater prize than the run for the roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the Super Bowl of thoroughbred horse racing. The Derby was first run in 1831 but was inaugurated as The Kentucky Derby in 1875 making it one of the oldest horse races in the country. Longevity breeds tradition, and the Derby is no exception. The Kentucky Derby is the epitome of southern style and charm. You can’t attend the Derby without a mint julep and some burgoo, two of the staples of the Derby crowd. The atmosphere is knee deep in class and tradition from the horses, to the race track to the fashions on display- certainly not the place for a jackass.

Even if you had a jackass that could run the one and a quarter mile like a thoroughbred race horse, it still wouldn’t fit in the elegance of Churchill Downs. Even if it won, it would only bray in the winner’s circle and embarrass you anyway. The bigger the stage the more embarrassing it becomes.

The biggest mistake a person can make is when they think that a talented jackass is not a jackass. Talent doesn’t change the makeup of the animal. We’ve witnessed the same exact mistake with humans. When you have a human being that is a jackass, don’t think he is going to change because of a good performance. He is what he is regardless of his level of performance.

So as a leader how do we make sure we follow the Kentucky Derby Rule?

1. Character counts, regardless of how some may try to minimize it. Character counts. Ralph Waldo Emerson put character above intellect.

2. If it looks like a jackass, talks like a jackass, smells like a jackass, it is a jackass. Trust your gut. You know a jackass when you see one. They chose to overlook it.

3. Never let talent blind you to the truth. Jackasses can be talented but they are still jackasses and will revert to jackass behavior when you need it least.

4. Talent never excuses bad behavior. In our society we tend to overlook bad behavior when it’s the behavior of the talented or the wealthy. Bad behavior is bad behavior whether it’s the star quarterback or a third string guard. Status doesn’t make bad behavior acceptable. Good leaders have high standards of behavior and stick to them regardless of who is involved. Lou Holtz tossed off the three best players on his University of Arkansas football team just before the 1978 Orange Bowl for sexual misconduct. His team responded with a 31-6 upset victory over the heavily favored Oklahoma Sooners.

5. If you allow jackasses in your organization they will attract additional jackasses. Like attracts like. If you did mistakenly bring a jackass into your organization, cut it loose as soon as possible so you don’t get any more. You don’t want you organization to be known as a jackass haven. You want only thoroughbreds on your team.

Only prestigious horses can run in a prestigious race; make sure you have the right horses running in your race.

Recognized and respected as a Head Football Coach at the Collegiate level, an Offensive innovator and the creator of the Triple Gun Offense, Coach Tony DeMeo has published numerous books, DVDs and videos. He has also created a number of “Courses” on CoachTube.com

In his 25 years of experience as a head college football coach, Tony DeMeo built a reputation for turning around college programs.  He remains a popular speaker, teacher and clinician.