Who's Your Dallas Smith?

Do you remember Dallas Smith? Likely not. Or if you do, he’s probably a vague memory of that Boston Bruins player from the sixties and seventies whose most memorable attribute was a rather painful comb-over. 

I recently tripped over a YouTube video on his hockey career and it triggered a lot of memories and some interesting thoughts. First, Dallas was Bobby Orr’s defense partner for years. Orr played right defense and Dallas played left. That meant that as Orr repeatedly rushed the puck and played a very offensive brand of defense, it was Dallas’ job to mind the store, staying back and covering for Orr in case someone stole the puck from him or intercepted a pass and made a run for the Bruins’ zone. In other words, he enabled Orr to be the superstar that he was. 

He lived his entire career in the shadow of the greatest player in hockey, content to be virtually invisible as a player. And yet he was actually a great player. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was selected to be on the 1972 Team Canada roster to play against the Russians, but he declined the invitation to play because, as a farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada, he had crops to tend and fields to plow. This was back in the day when NHL players still had real jobs in the off season to make ends meet. He won 2 Stanley Cups and played on four All-Star Teams. Dallas Smith was the real deal.

Yet, I never saw a Dallas Smith interview. I never saw a Dallas Smith highlight reel. I never saw him win any awards and his number does not hang among the greats in the rafters of the Boston Garden. I also never heard him complain, or whine about his contract, or cause any problems in the locker room. He just showed up every game and did his job quietly and well as the Big Bad Bruins ascended to the top of the league riding on the spectacular play of greats like Orr, Esposito, Cheevers, Cashman, Hodge, Bucyk, and others. Smith was a journeyman defenseman who never sought the spotlight. But he was there every night watching the greats take their turn on stage and enabling one of the greatest teams in hockey to win and win and win.

Every organization has a Dallas Smith. Who is yours?  Maybe this week you can think about that. By definition, he/she will not jump to mind immediately. They are that invisible employee you just don’t need to worry about. They never cause trouble. They do their job so well that you don’t even have to think about it. They have it covered. And guess what. They may never leave. They may be content to just do their thing. But if they DO leave, you will feel it. BIG!

So go find your Dallas Smith and let them know you appreciate their efforts. Tell them how grateful you are for their commitment, diligence, and high standards. Hell, give them a raise, or a bonus, or more vacation days. Every winning team needs a Dallas Smith. Make sure yours knows you need them and that you value their vital contribution.