Arrowhead anxiety: Turnover off the field causes concern

[Dr. Gigglepants]

Secrecy, intimidation, fear and a watchful eye have become hallmarks of working for the Chiefs, say some current and former employees.

BY KENT BABB THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Todd Haley walked into the public relations office at Chiefs headquarters on a Thursday in early December. Four days before he was fired as the team’s coach, he wanted to talk about what life was like inside this organization. But he didn’t know who else might be listening.

continued...

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/14...nover-off.html

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This article goes into a lot of detail on the changes that came into effect with the Pioli regime. Sounds like a shitty ass place to work now.

[O.city]

Damn, somethings going down over all this.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Gretz weighs in:

From Bobgretz.com:

Several thoughts on the Kansas City Star finally catching up to the fact that employment with the Kansas City Chiefs these days is working in a toxic environment. The newspaper did so in a front page story in Sunday’s edition, headlined Arrowhead Anxiety. In case you missed it, here’s the link where you can read what they had to say.

First, it’s a good story that shined light on a dark corner of the operations that those that control the Chiefs would rather have been kept quiet. Second, although it’s a lengthy story it only scratched the surface of how dysfunctional the organization is these days. Third, the person most responsible for the atmosphere of fear and anxiety around the organization took the fewest number of verbal arrows – team chairman Clark Hunt.

This story has been under construction for several weeks; maybe a month and the Chiefs were well aware of the details. But in the typical fashion of the way the organization is run these days, they attempted to strong arm the Star, demanding the names of the anonymous sources in the story and threatening a law suit. Not once, but twice the Chiefs took this tact with the local fish wrap in the last few weeks.

Having spent a dozen years getting ink on my hands, including nine of those with the Star, I can tell you what happens when a business, politician or sports team threatens a newspaper. The folks in charge suddenly realize they have a story that’s even bigger than they thought. The reaction of Hunt’s minions simply increased the visibility that the story was going to receive. It showed his people in charge of public relations have no idea how to deal with the media.

What's so Toxic? Are people selling blow in the bathrooms? Hookers lining up outside Arrowhead Drive?

Or is it Toxic because the boss is a big meany and demanding that their job be done right with no slacking, and then holding them accountable when they don't do their job correctly?

Sounds like a culture shock to me. Sounds Like Lamar had it running like a family, and Clark has it running like a fortune 500 business.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

What's so Toxic? Are people selling blow in the bathrooms? Hookers lining up outside Arrowhead Drive?

Or is it Toxic because the boss is a big meany and demanding that their job be done right with no slacking, and then holding them accountable when they don't do their job correctly?

Sounds like a culture shock to me. Sounds Like Lamar had it running like a family, and Clark has it running like a fortune 500 business.

When people are afraid to talk to co-workers in other departments and area afraid to be seen going to lunch with each other, it doesn't seem like a comfortable work place. I'd rather have employees focusing on work and not being worried if they spend an extra 3 minutes in the bathroom or are "caught" talking to someone from accounting.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Or is it Toxic because the boss is a big meany and demanding that their job be done right with no slacking, and then holding them accountable when they don't do their job correctly?

You mean like Matt Cassel?

Or maybe SCOTT PIOLI?

This whole statement is hilarious. As if Pioli and Hunt are in a position to insist on excellence. Pioli hasn't seen excellence since he left New England.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

When people are afraid to talk to co-workers in other departments and area afraid to be seen going to lunch with each other, it doesn't seem like a comfortable work place. I'd rather have employees focusing on work and not being worried if they spend an extra 3 minutes in the bathroom or are "caught" talking to someone from accounting.

Some people don't understand productivity in the workplace.

[Messier]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

But, but, but the media! And Haley said! But, but, but...

So Gretz believes this is just scratching the surface. Then I take it he believes criminal charges need to be levied against Hunt and Pioli, because the article implies they are committing a federal crime.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Some people don't understand productivity in the workplace.

Agreed. Nobody's ever heard of silos or workplace engagement?

This is one of those examples of taking accountability one step too far. It's one thing to distrust people outside the organization. It's another thing when you don't trust anyone within your own building.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You mean like Matt Cassel?

Or maybe SCOTT PIOLI?

This whole statement is hilarious. As if Pioli and Hunt are in a position to insist on excellence. Pioli hasn't seen excellence since he left New England.

Ok, so because they whiffed on a QB they should just just let the rest of the franchise rot, right?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Ok, so because they whiffed on a QB they should just just let the rest of the franchise rot, right?

IMO it's more because they have stuck with him, when he has looked so shitty.

[tk13]

You go back and remember... I believe it was Kevin Harlan that said before the season even began that he was hearing things about the working environment at Arrowhead that were really disturbing. Something like that. I can't remember his exact words... I think there was an ESPN guy or two also that said things were really dysfunctional. So Gretz is right that it has been floating out there for a while. Although I think we all just assumed it was fights between Haley/Pioli, maybe he meant something else.

[O.city]

People wanted change from the Peterson era.


Well, there ya go. Federal Crimes.

[O.city]

If I were the front office, I would come out and make changes now.

Make a statement saying we went a little to far with tsome things and we are cleaning it up.

Oh and Fire PIOLI>

[notorious]

On second thought, if Pioli was involved in the video scandle in 07', than it is entirely possible that this stuff is true.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by tk13

You go back and remember... I believe it was Kevin Harlan that said before the season even began that he was hearing things about the working environment at Arrowhead that were really disturbing. Something like that. I can't remember his exact words... I think there was an ESPN guy or two also that said things were really dysfunctional. So Gretz is right that it has been floating out there for a while. Although I think we all just assumed it was fights between Haley/Pioli, maybe he meant something else.

Yes. This has been going on for a very long time. I wish I could remember the sources too. There is a ton of smoke and it's coming from everywhere.

[Messier]

Originally Posted by O.city

IMO it's more because they have stuck with him, when he has looked so shitty.

I hate Cassel, and if he's our starter in the first game next season it's a knock on Pioli and Crennel, but last year, it's hard not to start the QB that lead the team to a division title. It's the same thing happening in Denver. Tebow really shouldn't be their starter next year, but he's gonna be, (thank God) because of where he got them. 2010, easy schedule aside, Cassel won 10 games and threw 27 TDs, it's hard to say that's just not cutting it.

In closing, I hate Cassel, and don't want him starting another game for the Chiefs.