A fish rots from the head down - the comfort of the Golden Quadrant

[brisbanehibs]

It's been very hard watching our slow decline over the last 3-4 years from over here but maybe a bit of distance also helps create a bit of perspective.

It struck me watching Ian Gordon's interview a few weeks ago that he lacked the personality, drive, enthusiasm and experience to be anywhere near a leadership role, let alone at a football club. In that interview it seemed to me like he was going through the motions and appeared very uncomfortable doing so.

As in any business, a weak leader will, despite possibly good intentions of all other key members of a leadership group ("quadrant!"), create a comfortable environment that will, perhaps even subconsciously, be exploited by highly paid executives who know that the bar is set low and hence a culture of non performance and "near enough is good enough" becomes the norm. Of course everyone wants to do their best (very few people want to turn up at work and do a bad job) but there isn't that constant drive to perform and certainly no fear of failure.

BK is a perfect example of this, someone who has failed continuously on delivering what truly matters to a football club and yet remains in post apparently untouchable. In comes Malky Mackay, at face value someone who should have the skills necessary to move our club forward but then again he is appointed by a pal on the board, he reports to someone in the comfort zone (BK) and/or to an owner in Ian Gordon who (as above) appears to have about as much passion and leadership drive as a wet blanket.

This situation then reaches its nadir when we sack our latest failed manager (Monty) with wide acknowledgement that we remain a soft, easy to beat side and replace him with someone who has been at the very heart of the culture for the last 5 years in SDG. SDG himself then appoints Eddie May (from within our culture) and Liam Craig (who knows our culture) and on it goes. This does not make SDG a bad manager or soft touch it is simply a fact that he has been immersed in a failing culture for a prolonged period and as a rookie manager it is ridiculous to think he would have the sheer guts, the leadership skill and the self-confidence to suddenly change it all and create the revolution we all know is required. If anyone was in any doubt however SDG makes his statement of intent by giving Joe Newell (see failing culture above) the captaincy on a new deal, signs a keeper via David Marshall (part of the culture, soft job upstairs post playing) who appears not to be able to "keep" and signs players who appear to have all the fight of a wet paper bag despite assurances about their character. Again, the culture becomes ingrained and we shouldn't be surprised that SDG and the people who make decisions no longer no what real drive, ambition and determination truly look like in players as well as staff.

Until there is new leadership in the Boardroom at our club nothing will change. Hibs are nobody's hobby and unfortunately Ian Gordon needs to find new toys. Sure (and here's hoping) we might beat Hearts on Saturday and all is well in the world again for a week but look back 3-4 years and there is a steady spiral of decline punctuated by the odd win, unlucky defeat and on it goes.

It starts at the top, the owners need to sell up and our quadrant and all who hang off them need to be shown the door as a new culture of performance and accountability is enforced. Hopefully Black Knights can influence this.

Let's hope we all haven't been infected by this acceptance of failure too. I don't believe we have but time is now for voices to be heard.

Rant over.

[jacomo]

Not a bad rant tbf.

Leadership is hard. This is why few people are good at it.

If Ian Gordon feels uncomfortable performing the figurehead role and setting the standards, he should step back and never do another interview.

If he wants to be involved, he needs to do some media / public speaking training, set out his expectations and his goals in clear terms, and act decisively when we fall short.

Neither BK nor MM (the two most senior execs) fill me with any confidence.

[Pedantic_Hibee]

Not a bad rant tbf.

Leadership is hard. This is why few people are good at it.

If Ian Gordon feels uncomfortable performing the figurehead role and setting the standards, he should step back and never do another interview.

If he wants to be involved, he needs to do some media / public speaking training, set out his expectations and his goals in clear terms, and act decisively when we fall short.

Neither BK nor MM (the two most senior execs) fill me with any confidence.

If only Ian Gordon had felt uncomfortable about performing the Head of Recruitment role.

He’s effectively a well dressed Michael Carroll. Suddenly the custodian of a boatload of money and goes absolutely bonkers with it, spending it on nothing that’s sustainable.

[Contador]

We’ve 1 3rd place finish in 19 years. The club has been under achieving with piss poor leadership long before this current mob, and unfortunately there is little sign that they have us anywhere near the path to change that.

I have no idea who out there has the desire or financial means to take the reigns but whilst we have a degree of financial stability with the current ownership, there is no direct emotional connection with the club. That detachment is causing a malaise from the top all the way through to the players and seeping into the fanbase.

It enrages me that as a club legend, SDG has to be the one who takes the flack and **** for it. Whilst I appreciate a manager can change the narrative, as a rookie in his first job, particularly at a club with our ownership, hes on a hiding to nothing.

[Itsnoteasy]

We’ve 1 3rd place finish in 19 years. The club has been under achieving with piss poor leadership long before this current mob, and unfortunately there is little sign that they have us anywhere near the path to change that.

I have no idea who out there has the desire or financial means to take the reigns but whilst we have a degree of financial stability with the current ownership, there is no direct emotional connection with the club. That detachment is causing a malaise from the top all the way through to the players and seeping into the fanbase.

It enrages me that as a club legend, SDG has to be the one who takes the flack and **** for it. Whilst I appreciate a manager can change the narrative, as a rookie in his first job, particularly at a club with our ownership, hes on a hiding to nothing.

SDG applied for the job so he deserves as much flack as the rest of them for underperforming.

[Contador]

SDG applied for the job so he deserves as much flack as the rest of them for underperforming.

Of course, but put yourself in his shoes. As someone who has a desire to make a career in management, he is hardly going to turn down the opportunity to take a job the size of the Hibs job.

Should he have been offered it? Of course not, but doesn’t mean you can’t feel for the guy with the shambles that is going on above him.

[gbhibby]

SDG has been on the coaching staff under previous managers so was surprised at him been given the job. Was it the cheapest option? Something needs to happen pronto or we will be celebrating our 150th in the championship.

[GreenCastle]

Fair opening post.

I fully agree it’s all about culture at the club and what’s acceptable and what’s not.

Even last season Monty should have been sacked earlier but wasn’t after some shocking results.

The fans deserve better we need a serious change of leadership in key positions.

The fans don’t trust the owners and many of the playing staff - quite a few don’t trust Gray now too and that’s only after 8 league games but Gray has had 13 official games.

Feels like some staff are untouchable. Even if we win this weekend it will just be a temporary joy then quite probably back to crap and mistakes.

Journalists should be grilling the ownership about what is going on but seem they get an easy ride.

[theonlywayisup]

Excellent OP.

If the subject wasn't so dire, it's one of the best written and well structured rants I've read on this forum.

Fully agree! No further comment needed.

[SHODAN]

Well-written and thoughtful post OP, allow me to add my own equally elaborate thoughts on the matter:

Golden quadrant... Of *****!!!

HA ! HA ! HA !

[SickBoy32]

Brilliant post, couldn’t agree more 👍

[Pretty Boy]

I've said for ages there it just feels like everything is 'that'll do' at Hibs at the moment.

I keep going on about it but our mistakes on social media are constant. Some innocuous, some which are embarrassingly bad. This Saturday saw HibsTV show a team graphic with Rudi on the left and Nicky Cadden, not even in the squad obviously, lined up in the centre. It was rectified but it's just so sloppy.

For me that kind of sloppiness comes from the top. Obviously the CEO or Chairman (particularly a non exec one) isn't directly employing the social media guy(s) but they are the person who oversees the head of the department they report to. There are surely regular appraisals or briefings at which stuff like that is questioned and improvements called for?

There just feels no direction or vision. I think the OP nails it; throughout the club is feels like a lot of people are far too comfortable. There seems little drive for better, no one person grabbing things by the scruff of the neck and saying 'let's sort this' (exactly the same problem we have on the pitch you may argue).

No one wants a big shouty bully but someone who inspires a bit of confidence and demands better from others would be welcome. Right now we are drifting and it's particularly evident where it matters most to all of us which is on the park.

[Northernhibee]

I've said for ages there it just feels like everything is 'that'll do' at Hibs at the moment.

I keep going on about it but our mistakes on social media are constant. Some innocuous, some which are embarrassingly bad. This Saturday saw HibsTV show a team graphic with Rudi on the left and Nicky Cadden, not even in the squad obviously, lined up in the centre. It was rectified but it's just so sloppy.

For me that kind of sloppiness comes from the top. Obviously the CEO or Chairman (particularly a non exec one) isn't directly employing the social media guy(s) but they are the person who oversees the head of the department they report to. There are surely regular appraisals or briefings at which stuff like that is questioned and improvements called for?

There just feels no direction or vision. I think the OP nails it; throughout the club is feels like a lot of people are far too comfortable. There seems little drive for better, no one person grabbing things by the scruff of the neck and saying 'let's sort this' (exactly the same problem we have on the pitch you may argue).

No one wants a big shouty bully but someone who inspires a bit of confidence and demands better from others would be welcome. Right now we are drifting and it's particularly evident where it matters most to all of us which is on the park.

My issue is that from the outside looking in, there’s a feeling of a lack of accountability.

Ben Kensell is supposedly teaching Ian Gordon about running a football club, but Kensell should be under huge pressure from Ian Gordon in regards to where we are on the pitch. If there’s any truth to Malky being friendly with people above him, is he as accountable as someone who wouldn’t be? Will it just fall on the managers shoulders like it has on several occasions? When Ron was still here, how accountable was Ian held for our recruitment?

Everything feels a bit too pally for me.

[Bobby's Cinema]

I've said for ages there it just feels like everything is 'that'll do' at Hibs at the moment.

I keep going on about it but our mistakes on social media are constant. Some innocuous, some which are embarrassingly bad. This Saturday saw HibsTV show a team graphic with Rudi on the left and Nicky Cadden, not even in the squad obviously, lined up in the centre. It was rectified but it's just so sloppy.

For me that kind of sloppiness comes from the top. Obviously the CEO or Chairman (particularly a non exec one) isn't directly employing the social media guy(s) but they are the person who oversees the head of the department they report to. There are surely regular appraisals or briefings at which stuff like that is questioned and improvements called for?

There just feels no direction or vision. I think the OP nails it; throughout the club is feels like a lot of people are far too comfortable. There seems little drive for better, no one person grabbing things by the scruff of the neck and saying 'let's sort this' (exactly the same problem we have on the pitch you may argue).

No one wants a big shouty bully but someone who inspires a bit of confidence and demands better from others would be welcome. Right now we are drifting and it's particularly evident where it matters most to all of us which is on the park.
This is exactly why I want it to be Gray to be the man to turn it around. Personally I would stick with the manager no matter what transpires this season and next.

I would actually love to see us defiantly chanting his name even if things descend further than they are right now.

[Pretty Boy]

My issue is that from the outside looking in, there’s a feeling of a lack of accountability.

Ben Kensell is supposedly teaching Ian Gordon about running a football club, but Kensell should be under huge pressure from Ian Gordon in regards to where we are on the pitch. If there’s any truth to Malky being friendly with people above him, is he as accountable as someone who wouldn’t be? Will it just fall on the managers shoulders like it has on several occasions? When Ron was still here, how accountable was Ian held for our recruitment?

Everything feels a bit too pally for me.

I remember when Ron was with us he agreed to appear in a joint interview with all the Hibs podcasts around at the time.

He was amicable and jovial. He was a man with a vision and I still genuinely believe he wanted the absolute best for us. He was obviously rattled and uncomfortable when a then admin and current poster on here who was also co host of the short lived .net podcast outright asked him about Ian Gordon's role. He didn't like it one bit. I don't believe there was anything nefarious about the IG appointment but equally there isn't a hope in hell he was as close to fully accountable as an external appointment would have been.

I agree about the Gordon and Kensell relationship as well. It's too intertwined to work properly. How can the owner make objective decisions about the man who is supposed to be mentoring him on how to run a football club?

[SickBoy32]

I agree about the Gordon and Kensell relationship as well. It's too intertwined to work properly. How can the owner make objective decisions about the man who is supposed to be mentoring him on how to run a football club?

Great point.

There is no way he can objectively assess how well Kensell is performing his role. When in a way, Kensell is his senior?! 😂

A crazy setup. We’d be pishing ourselves if this was happening in Gorgie.

Gordon and Kensell simply have to go, and go now.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Great point.

There is no way he can objectively assess how well Kensell is performing his role. When in a way, Kensell is his senior?! 😂

A crazy setup. We’d be pishing ourselves if this was happening in Gorgie.

Gordon and Kensell simply have to go, and go now.

:agree:

Kensell is teaching Gordon how to run the club. How is Gordon then going to know how good a job Kensell is doing if it’s Kensell telling him how it should be done?

[matty_f]

I remember when Ron was with us he agreed to appear in a joint interview with all the Hibs podcasts around at the time.

He was amicable and jovial. He was a man with a vision and I still genuinely believe he wanted the absolute best for us. He was obviously rattled and uncomfortable when a then admin and current poster on here who was also co host of the short lived .net podcast outright asked him about Ian Gordon's role. He didn't like it one bit. I don't believe there was anything nefarious about the IG appointment but equally there isn't a hope in hell he was as close to fully accountable as an external appointment would have been.

I agree about the Gordon and Kensell relationship as well. It's too intertwined to work properly. How can the owner make objective decisions about the man who is supposed to be mentoring him on how to run a football club?

:agree: the very first questions were on recruitment and those recruiting iirc, and he was prickly about it all.

[Forza Fred]

It's been very hard watching our slow decline over the last 3-4 years from over here but maybe a bit of distance also helps create a bit of perspective.

It struck me watching Ian Gordon's interview a few weeks ago that he lacked the personality, drive, enthusiasm and experience to be anywhere near a leadership role, let alone at a football club. In that interview it seemed to me like he was going through the motions and appeared very uncomfortable doing so.

As in any business, a weak leader will, despite possibly good intentions of all other key members of a leadership group ("quadrant!"), create a comfortable environment that will, perhaps even subconsciously, be exploited by highly paid executives who know that the bar is set low and hence a culture of non performance and "near enough is good enough" becomes the norm. Of course everyone wants to do their best (very few people want to turn up at work and do a bad job) but there isn't that constant drive to perform and certainly no fear of failure.

BK is a perfect example of this, someone who has failed continuously on delivering what truly matters to a football club and yet remains in post apparently untouchable. In comes Malky Mackay, at face value someone who should have the skills necessary to move our club forward but then again he is appointed by a pal on the board, he reports to someone in the comfort zone (BK) and/or to an owner in Ian Gordon who (as above) appears to have about as much passion and leadership drive as a wet blanket.

This situation then reaches its nadir when we sack our latest failed manager (Monty) with wide acknowledgement that we remain a soft, easy to beat side and replace him with someone who has been at the very heart of the culture for the last 5 years in SDG. SDG himself then appoints Eddie May (from within our culture) and Liam Craig (who knows our culture) and on it goes. This does not make SDG a bad manager or soft touch it is simply a fact that he has been immersed in a failing culture for a prolonged period and as a rookie manager it is ridiculous to think he would have the sheer guts, the leadership skill and the self-confidence to suddenly change it all and create the revolution we all know is required. If anyone was in any doubt however SDG makes his statement of intent by giving Joe Newell (see failing culture above) the captaincy on a new deal, signs a keeper via David Marshall (part of the culture, soft job upstairs post playing) who appears not to be able to "keep" and signs players who appear to have all the fight of a wet paper bag despite assurances about their character. Again, the culture becomes ingrained and we shouldn't be surprised that SDG and the people who make decisions no longer no what real drive, ambition and determination truly look like in players as well as staff.

Until there is new leadership in the Boardroom at our club nothing will change. Hibs are nobody's hobby and unfortunately Ian Gordon needs to find new toys. Sure (and here's hoping) we might beat Hearts on Saturday and all is well in the world again for a week but look back 3-4 years and there is a steady spiral of decline punctuated by the odd win, unlucky defeat and on it goes.

It starts at the top, the owners need to sell up and our quadrant and all who hang off them need to be shown the door as a new culture of performance and accountability is enforced. Hopefully Black Knights can influence this.

Let's hope we all haven't been infected by this acceptance of failure too. I don't believe we have but time is now for voices to be heard.

Rant over.

:top marks

[JimBHibees]

It's been very hard watching our slow decline over the last 3-4 years from over here but maybe a bit of distance also helps create a bit of perspective.

It struck me watching Ian Gordon's interview a few weeks ago that he lacked the personality, drive, enthusiasm and experience to be anywhere near a leadership role, let alone at a football club. In that interview it seemed to me like he was going through the motions and appeared very uncomfortable doing so.

As in any business, a weak leader will, despite possibly good intentions of all other key members of a leadership group ("quadrant!"), create a comfortable environment that will, perhaps even subconsciously, be exploited by highly paid executives who know that the bar is set low and hence a culture of non performance and "near enough is good enough" becomes the norm. Of course everyone wants to do their best (very few people want to turn up at work and do a bad job) but there isn't that constant drive to perform and certainly no fear of failure.

BK is a perfect example of this, someone who has failed continuously on delivering what truly matters to a football club and yet remains in post apparently untouchable. In comes Malky Mackay, at face value someone who should have the skills necessary to move our club forward but then again he is appointed by a pal on the board, he reports to someone in the comfort zone (BK) and/or to an owner in Ian Gordon who (as above) appears to have about as much passion and leadership drive as a wet blanket.

This situation then reaches its nadir when we sack our latest failed manager (Monty) with wide acknowledgement that we remain a soft, easy to beat side and replace him with someone who has been at the very heart of the culture for the last 5 years in SDG. SDG himself then appoints Eddie May (from within our culture) and Liam Craig (who knows our culture) and on it goes. This does not make SDG a bad manager or soft touch it is simply a fact that he has been immersed in a failing culture for a prolonged period and as a rookie manager it is ridiculous to think he would have the sheer guts, the leadership skill and the self-confidence to suddenly change it all and create the revolution we all know is required. If anyone was in any doubt however SDG makes his statement of intent by giving Joe Newell (see failing culture above) the captaincy on a new deal, signs a keeper via David Marshall (part of the culture, soft job upstairs post playing) who appears not to be able to "keep" and signs players who appear to have all the fight of a wet paper bag despite assurances about their character. Again, the culture becomes ingrained and we shouldn't be surprised that SDG and the people who make decisions no longer no what real drive, ambition and determination truly look like in players as well as staff.

Until there is new leadership in the Boardroom at our club nothing will change. Hibs are nobody's hobby and unfortunately Ian Gordon needs to find new toys. Sure (and here's hoping) we might beat Hearts on Saturday and all is well in the world again for a week but look back 3-4 years and there is a steady spiral of decline punctuated by the odd win, unlucky defeat and on it goes.

It starts at the top, the owners need to sell up and our quadrant and all who hang off them need to be shown the door as a new culture of performance and accountability is enforced. Hopefully Black Knights can influence this.

Let's hope we all haven't been infected by this acceptance of failure too. I don't believe we have but time is now for voices to be heard.

Rant over.

Difficult to argue with any of that particularly the summary on the culture and appointments from within it. Suppose the only outlier to that would be MacKay so hopefully he can influence a better more competitive structure and climate.

[Iain G]

SDG has been on the coaching staff under previous managers so was surprised at him been given the job. Was it the cheapest option? Something needs to happen pronto or we will be celebrating our 150th in the championship.

At least some people might get some joy out of that experience!

[Hibees1973]

At least some people might get some joy out of that experience!

What a strange thing to say.

Maybe your post is tongue in cheek, but I've read loads of valid points criticising the Golden Quadrant on hibs.net

To say that any genuine Hibs supporter on hibs.net would want us to spend our 150th anniversary in the Championship is ridiculous.

[Iain G]

What a strange thing to say.

Maybe your post is tongue in cheek, but I've read loads of valid points criticising the Golden Quadrant on hibs.net

To say that any genuine Hibs supporter on hibs.net would want us to spend our 150th anniversary in the Championship is ridiculous.

We might win some games! 😁

[gbhibby]

At least some people might get some joy out of that experience!

We all know what happened the last time we were in the championship.😉

[Iain G]

We all know what happened the last time we were in the championship.😉

We enjoyed the football and we won a cup! What's not to like 😁

[SHODAN]

Honestly, the Championship seasons were great fun. A bunch of new grounds to go to, we did great in the cups and skooshed the opposition most weeks. Wouldn't like to be down there for long though!

[7Hero]

Easily one of the most unarguable posts we've had recently, the OP is spot on..

the blind leading the blind..

[Greenio]

Honestly, the Championship seasons were great fun. A bunch of new grounds to go to, we did great in the cups and skooshed the opposition most weeks. Wouldn't like to be down there for long though!

Wouldnt like to be down there at all

[Baader]

Honestly, the Championship seasons were great fun. A bunch of new grounds to go to, we did great in the cups and skooshed the opposition most weeks. Wouldn't like to be down there for long though!

A disaster we are ever in it. Hibernian FC should never be a Championship club.

[SonOfDavidFrancey]

Just for balance … Fish actually rot from the inside out, starting with the bacteria in their stomach.

[matty_f]

Just for balance … Fish actually rot from the inside out, starting with the bacteria in their stomach.

This is the sort of content I come here for. :aok:

[Smartie]

Just for balance … Fish actually rot from the inside out, starting with the bacteria in their stomach.

Could this be a worthy metaphor for our ongoing midfield woes?

[flash]

This is the sort of content I come here for. :aok:

Bit disappointed the OP hasn't changed the name of the thread yet after his science lesson.

[random sub]

A good OP, particularly the point that a weak main leader then unintentionally creates a wider weakness in the wider senior leadership team. The whole golden quadrant needs to be cleared out and new owners found.