“Oh it’s just some little things I picked up along the way.”
That was how 82 year old Mets pitching coach Phil Regan referred to some of the motivational thoughts he has been passing along to the Amazin’s rejuvenated pitching staff since he got back in uniform earlier this season. It’s not dissimilar from what 73 year old Phillies hitting coach Charlie Manuel us doing in his new role down the Turnpike, or that Tom Coughlin has done in his senior advisor role with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While we see teams, leagues and companies of all sizes investing in the latest and greatest technology to make sure their million dollar investments, be they athletes, fast rising executives or consumer products are being given a chance for maximum ROI, we are also seeing more whispers coming into the fold to bring life experience into play. That life experience, along with the machine learning and best in class programs, seems to be becoming more and more valuable in such a fluid and volatile and competitive economy. 
We have read a great deal about that type of work in The Trillion Dollar Coach this summer, the anecdotes of how former Columbia football head coach Bill Campbell became the influencer to most of the biggest names in Silicon Valley. We have seen David Stern talk time and again about the emerging companies he is mentoring, and always remarking that the two things needed by those learning the ropes are the ability to sell and storytell. Those two skills come more from getting knocked down then they ever would from always standing tall.
And while some may scoff at the values of an older advisor listening…yes listening…to the day to day business focus of those on the firing line, the reality is that having a senior voice at the table, even for young digital first elite athletes, seems to be a growing mechanism for success.
The reason is not as much because these slightly older leaders have the benefit of rings and bling and dollars; some may have that, some may not. They also have the benefit of the greatest teaching tool of all; learning from the mistakes you make. That is a trait that most climbing the ladder don’t want to deal with; we all have to get the trophy and one up each other.
Dealing with the stories of failure, and the bounce back, brings even greater value, especially in an entrepreneurial environment. Now some may never deal with failure well; they may be all about tantrums and denial. Maybe that works for them, maybe it doesn’t for the long term.
Not everyone has ultimate success, we all have failure and can relate, and sharing those stories without being morose can be the greatest learning tool of all. I often thing of the song Bruises by Train with Ashley Monroe when looking at the little curves life throws us. Those bumps give us color in our lives as they heal, and they are the best teaching tool.
As an 82 year old pitching coach there is lots Phil Regan can share about the Hall of Famers he has seen; however he can probably give more advice from the tough losses; that’s the day to day reality his young guys will have to deal with the most, just like all of us.
