Today I read about the death of  George Steinbrenner, principal owner and managing partner of the New York Yankees. 

Although many may have disagreed with his controversial policies and decisions, I think most people would say he devoted his life to his team, even those players and managers who were fined and fired (and often rehired) at his direction.

He led the Yankees to 11 Pennants and 7 World Series titles.  He was tough on his players, instituting a ban on most facial hair, and he insisted that all players, coaches and executives keep their hair trimmed to collar-length at most.  He negotiated for higher salaries for his team.  He was definitely a hands-on owner.

So, why do I say there is a connection between George Steinbrenner and parenting?

Let’s look at a list of some of the key phrases that we could use to describe him:

• Devoted his life to his team
• Led his team to victory many times
• Tough on his players
• Instituted controversial policies and made decisions not always approved of by team members
• Was a hands-on owner involved in the day-to-day workings of the team

George Steinbrenner’s style of “parenting” his team is probably NOT the one that you or I would want to use for our children.  However, most good parents:

• Make many decisions that are not always approved of by their children. 
• Have times when they need to be tough on their children. 
•  Devote a good part of their lives to raising their children the best way they know how. 
• Encourage their children to master tasks and skills  and celebrate each victory they experience.
• Are hands-on parents. 

Perhaps the biggest difference was that George Steinbrenner did not embrace the “POSITIVE parental participation” philosophy.  Maybe if he had, the media would have been kinder to him.