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Our own "Creed" for the Melbourne Football Club

Supreme_Demon
in Melbourne Demons

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For those who don't know, a "Creed" is something that can be a formal doctrine or set of beliefs or philosophy that an organisation can encapsulate what they stand for.

The development of a "Creed" is something which can also help with driving the standards and culture of an organisation.

A good example of a "Creed" is one that our new MFC Head of Development, Mark "Choco" Williams' Father, the late and great Fos Williams created for the Port Adelaide Football Club in 1962. Here is a link to it for those who haven't read it before: https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/club/history/the-creed

The Port Adelaide "Creed" was recently brought to my attention with the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of the Port Adelaide Football Club and I thought it would be a good idea to try and emulate something similar.

Now obviously, we don't wish to plagiarise what Port Adelaide has done. But I would like to put forward the suggestion that the Melbourne Demons Football Club creates its very own and unique "Creed". Something that I hope will assist with shaping the long term culture of the Demons.

Nevertheless, this is something that we as Melbourne Demons members and supporters can only suggest. But I think it is worthwhile pursuing this idea. However, it is crucial that this is driven by the Demons players, the captain Max Gawn, the coach Simon Goodwin, the CEO Gary Pert, the President Glen Bartlett and all other stakeholders of the Melbourne Football Club. Mark "Choco" Williams having input would also be invaluable.

This is something the Demons players and coaching staff could develop as an activity while on their Pre-Season camp perhaps?

Anyway, I am interested in hearing other Demonlanders opinions on this possible suggestion of developing a "Creed" for the Melbourne Football Club and ideally helping to develop our culture.

Edited by Supreme_Demon
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    We had one:  'Esprit de Corps' in 2018, borrowed from Norm Smith:  "We have this spirit at Melbourne.  It embraces loyalty to the team, to the coach and to teammates.  It is the spirit essential for success". 

    We seem to have lost sight of it since then.  Don't hear it referred to anymore. 

    Good discussion of it here:

     

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    High performing organisations may have creeds, mission statements, and any number of motherhood statements. 

    However they are not top organisations because of such statements. 

    They are organisations that have appointed talented people and developed that talent. They recruit people that can grow into leaders of the organisation. As a result, they attract the best because everyone wants to be part of the organisation. It’s history and culture of success becomes a way of being and individually and collectively people are driven to work hard and perform at a high level.  People are ingrained with this philosophy and way of working. Working as a team is a natural organic thing. There is innate talent/skills and this talent is nurtured and developed. There is mutual respect between team members and these individuals assist one another to achieve their goals. 

    Norm Smith Esprit de Corps as commented on by Lucifer is an effective explanation of success. It’s as good as anything. 

    Slogans will always be used in organisations but it comes about as a result of the people you hire, train, coach, and, the people you place in leadership positions. Then success becomes innate to the organisation and follows almost naturally. 

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    10 minutes ago, demonstone said:

    Well put, Mr. Hemingway.  Could it be said that a creed is an organisation's game plan?

    A creed is a statement that has an aspirational quality. 

    A game plan is a plan for winning, an implementational strategy. Putting into place individual and team tactics to maximise performance and nullify your opponents. 

    Much prefer the word  “tactics” to game plan. 

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    The value happens when it is lived, not just written down.  It has to come from the players, owned by the players and lived by them.  Having the club make it is just another waste of paper.

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    I've played Assassins Creed.. that's a good game.

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    46 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

    Maybe some marking advice for the forwards?


     

    BOOOOOOOOOO! 

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    Pointless corporate [censored].

     

    Nothing matters except winning games on the way to a flag.

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    "All for one, one for all"...... short, catchy and well used....

     

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    2 hours ago, faultydet said:

    Nothing matters except winning games on the way to a flag.

    Now that's a creed!

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    It's great to have something inspirational but more importantly, how do you make it endemic?

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    There is no issue with having a creed, or a vision or a mission statement of it is something that drives and defines everything an organisation does and has the sincere backing of a majority of the plebs at the frontlines. 

    If it is ‘shelfware’ to impress idiots on forums then nah - I’m good.

    Ask Gawn and Lever and May and Oliver, et al - what gets you doing the extra thing, what makes you selfless, what pushes you to be involved at the club - that’s your creed/mission statement/meaning of life.

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    "I never dreamed of success. I worked for it."  - Estee Lauder.

    she works hard mark-paul gosselaar GIF by Pitch on FOX

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