One of the unconscious dynamic tasks of the Ego Ideal is to
compensate for the imperfections, flaws, deficits of the individual. In other
words, there’s more than a striving for improvement, but an unrealistic goal If
you like striving for achievement, and/or perfection. This perfection or ideal
cannot be attained regardless of one’s intellectual, physical, or personality
efforts made during a lifetime. There can likely never be the “perfect”
idealized object or objects to make up or fill the gigantic hole in us humans
regardless of how hard we work to accomplish this, Sisyphus like task. Moreover,
it seems like the unconscious workings of the ego ideal is never finished nor
completed during our lifespan.
It appears that the unconscious
desire for being loved and receiving affection takes the place of the striving
for perfection. The helpless infant is totally dependent on the love and care
of the mother or caretaker for its survival. The infant cannot feed itself,
cannot clean itself, cannot care for, or provide warmth and shelter for itself.
These behaviors, by the mother, become associated with love, warmth, safety and
protection. This process evolves and develops into an unconscious fantasy of
being loved and then becomes a strong desire or need to be loved. Consciously,
the ability to love and be loved is one of the cornerstones of a
self-actualized individual.
Being loved, being admired,
being praised, being appreciated generally begins with the mother or mother
figure in the caretaking process during the child development years. The
idolized object, then can be generalized to include a father, siblings,
grandparents, aunts or uncles within the nuclear family. Often, seeking
approval, etc. generalizes to a teacher, coach, team or some other significant adult
or group. The peer group takes on mega importance as we want to be part of, fit
in, be liked and be on the receiving end of respect and admiration and the
acknowledgment of it too. This desire for social recognition is the enlargement
of the original wish to be admired or appreciated initially by one person,
generally the mother. Further, the wish to be socially recognized is the most
general form of the need to be loved. Some might call it a related need for
affiliation or belonging.
Turning to Bo Schembechler, we
found the following. As was true within the coaching world then and now, Bo
received social recognition, especially being hired by the University Michigan.
If his Wolverines were victorious
against arch rivals Michigan State and
Ohio State, he not only would have a
secure job and a regular paycheck, he
would be admired, praised, appreciated and loved by the enormous University of
Michigan faithful that includes students, fans, faculty, administration,
alumni, other coaches [ Do you think Woody Hayes would be proud!], etc.
As a result, Bo’s social
recognition was dependent on his University of Michigan’s teams winning and
only winning. This was made crystal clear, and he understood it very well. That
meant he was under enormous pressure to prepare- his teams had to operate in a
perfection like mode if you will. Generally, college athletes have the physical
skills that tends to equalize across the board- yes, there are exceptions. Bo,
could not do much about the physical genetics of his inherited players, but he
could make inroads in their thinking, attitude about themselves, and about
winning-he believed that everyone can improve [He must’ve known on some level
about the ego ideal]. He knew that the mental process was likely the difference
between winning and losing. Mike Keller called it the intangibles. Bo’s task
was to drill and to imprint into the minds of the players to believe in
themselves, in the team, in their teammates and in him. It was not easy as it
took 4 ½ games to accomplish that task. It all came together in the second half
of the game against Minnesota In 1969. From then on, Bo’s Wolverines were
unstoppable.
Bo established and initiated
physically brutal, conditioning programs coupled with physical practices like
no other. He was a tyrant on the football field as the leader. He was verbally
abusive in his unique way. The players realized that he treated everyone the
same-like dogs. In fact, Fritz Seyferth indicated that former coach Bump
Elliott would not treat the players, as Bo because it was disrespectful. Frank
Gusich said that because of the unheard of mode of conditioning and hard
practices, that he then realized that there would be no other team that could
compete with his Wolverines, especially in the fourth quarter. He also overheard
NFL coaches at their practice saying, “These guys really practice hard.” Mike
Keller reported that game day was simply easier than the practices, and he
looked forward to beating up someone else.
Initially, Bo was the bad cop,
and the position coaches were the good cops. The players, after a short period
of time, developed into a cohesive unit. They played like no other in order to
receive praise, admiration and respect from their teammates. Mike Keller said
he didn’t want to let any of his teammates down, which translates into
receiving social recognition. Keller also reported that his teammates were like
a band of brothers similar to being in a foxhole with them. Keller was not
unusual, in wanting that social recognition.
Social recognition was
realized, for Bo Schembechler’s players, his position coaches and for himself
as result of his teams winning. He said that when the team wins, the players
will receive their recognition. Many became drafted by the NFL, received,
All-American honors, and became part of the U of M tradition. Further, last
year, a statue of Bo Schembechler was erected outside of Schembechler Hall. And
just recently, Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh was instrumental in forming a group
for ex- U of M football players. Jim Betts was elected Pres. of this Michigan
Football Alumni Network [MFAN] of the 2500 or so players. And, Jim Brandstatter
was elected as Communications Director.
Like Bo Schembechler, Jim
Harbaugh is under pressure and scrutiny and is expected to turn Michigan
football’s program around to its glory days. Unlike Bo, Coach Harbaugh already
has an enormous amount of social recognition. He is loved, admired, respected
prior to coaching his first game. His social recognition has been similar and
like a magnet in attracting top-notch, position coaches and maybe the best of
the best of the high school recruits. Because of all this pressure, Coach
Harbaugh has to work miracles in order to continue to receive the love and of
course his hefty salary.
Likely, Coach Harbaugh in order
to achieve his social recognition, etc., will have his players compete, not
pussy foot around with shortcuts and deal with their mindset. Since December,
with his hiring, Jim Harbaugh has been masterful in receiving social
recognition from the local and national media. He’s been a master in the realm
of social media. Just seek Jim out on twitter or go to Bleacher Report, and
you’ll know what I mean.
Join us in Ann Arbor on
September 17 from 6 to 8 PM for hors d’oeuvres and book signing of Bo’s
Warriors at Sesi Motors.
Go Blue!
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