Perhaps you've heard of the twin boys in Minnesota who were at charity hockey game in Minnesota. During one of the breaks between periods, there was a contest to see if someone could shoot a puck through a small hole from about 90 feet away. If it could be done, the winner would received $50,000! Nick Smith's name was called but he was too interested in going outside to play with his friends so he told his twin brother Nate to take the shot. Nate hadn't entered the contest because he recently had a cast removed from his arm. Nate agreed to take the shot and made it, winning $50,000 on the spot. The next day, the boys' father told the organization who ran the contest that it wasn't Nick who took the shot. He just wanted to be clear. After some discernment, the company took away the $50,000 but gave the hockey league a $20,000 donation so others less fortunate could play.
I saw the boys and their father on the news today. Were they bitter? Did they cry foul? No, they told the truth and were happy that other kids would have the opportunity to receive some benefit. The boys' father wasn't trying to hide anything and wanted to show the boys that honesty is the best policy, even if it is sometimes hard.
So it is within our organizations. Not a day goes by when there are conversations about what to do, how to do it and what to say. I'm included. The answer is-be honest. Do the right thing, though it may be hard at the time. As we know, it will be much harder to "come clean" later. In many cases, the cover up is worse than the crime. The same is true with being honest up front. Lies and half truths are difficult, if not impossible to unravel the further you get away from the moment. Over time, we tend to justify and believe the lie. It's a slippery slope.
The Smith family has received their 15 minutes of fame but hopefully a lifetime of learning. We should do the same.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Rain Delay
As the east coast prepares for Hurricane Irene, I'm reminded of the havoc rain and weather delays can have on outdoor sports. Just last weekend, the Phillies and Nationals had two games that were interrupted by rain. I can say with confidence that the Phillies would have won one of the two games against the Nationals last weekend if their starting pitcher could have stayed in the game. They didn't and their bullpen failed. This weekend, many baseball games scheduled for Sunday in the mid-Atlantic and northeast have been moved to Saturday afternoon for a double header. I suspect some teams will be at a disadvantage moving the games around this weekend. The good teams will figure out a way to adjust and win, others won't.
So it is in life. You plan the next day before going home at night and it all goes up in smoke in the first hour the next morning. I've seen many adjust poorly to new and changing priorities. They become paralyzed or work fifteen hour days to attempt to get everything done on their list. We all know how that works out in the long run.
Success is judged on results. Results are achieved by being flexible, understanding the landscape, advanced planning and reacting well to change. Bad things are going to happen, it's how you react to those things that determines your success. When it happens, go to plan B and move on. Adjust on the fly and be the happier for it.
So it is in life. You plan the next day before going home at night and it all goes up in smoke in the first hour the next morning. I've seen many adjust poorly to new and changing priorities. They become paralyzed or work fifteen hour days to attempt to get everything done on their list. We all know how that works out in the long run.
Success is judged on results. Results are achieved by being flexible, understanding the landscape, advanced planning and reacting well to change. Bad things are going to happen, it's how you react to those things that determines your success. When it happens, go to plan B and move on. Adjust on the fly and be the happier for it.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Leadership and Sports: Making the Most of Your Talent
Leadership and Sports: Making the Most of Your Talent: "Last night, one of the good guys of sports, Jim Thome, hit his 600th home run. To put it in perspective, he is the 8th major league player ..."
Making the Most of Your Talent
Last night, one of the good guys of sports, Jim Thome, hit his 600th home run. To put it in perspective, he is the 8th major league player to do so. He has been a consistent player for 21 years. Not extraordinary, but a sure lock for the Hall of Fame given his steady performance throughout his career.
Thome spent 12 years with Cleveland before coming to Philadelphia in 2003. He was the first free agent signing of note and was at the forefront of the current success of the Phillies. He was traded to the White Sox to make room for Ryan Howard after the 2005 season. He hit nearly 100 home runs in a Phillies uniform, but more importantly, brought the franchise out of its malaise and made other free agents look seriously at coming to Philadelphia. He brought life to the Phillies and help usher in Citizen's Bank Park in 2004. He has had a positive impact on every team he's played for-both on and off the field.
Not many of us will have a chance to hit 600 home runs, but we can make a positive impact on our own teams. Like Thome, play to win, hustle every day, give 100%, and perform as if it's your last opportunity. It seems to me the best role models are those who make the most of their talent. They work hard to hone their skills and don't take their success for granted. Thome's legacy may be this: a good guy with talent that worked hard and made others more successful. I, for one, wouldn't mind that as an epitaph on my tombstone some day.
Thome spent 12 years with Cleveland before coming to Philadelphia in 2003. He was the first free agent signing of note and was at the forefront of the current success of the Phillies. He was traded to the White Sox to make room for Ryan Howard after the 2005 season. He hit nearly 100 home runs in a Phillies uniform, but more importantly, brought the franchise out of its malaise and made other free agents look seriously at coming to Philadelphia. He brought life to the Phillies and help usher in Citizen's Bank Park in 2004. He has had a positive impact on every team he's played for-both on and off the field.
Not many of us will have a chance to hit 600 home runs, but we can make a positive impact on our own teams. Like Thome, play to win, hustle every day, give 100%, and perform as if it's your last opportunity. It seems to me the best role models are those who make the most of their talent. They work hard to hone their skills and don't take their success for granted. Thome's legacy may be this: a good guy with talent that worked hard and made others more successful. I, for one, wouldn't mind that as an epitaph on my tombstone some day.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dream Big!
The past few weeks, we've seen the induction of new members in the baseball hall of fame and football hall of fame. Most are humbled at the experience-of being the elite of the elite. Think of all the kids who play little league baseball and how few actually play the game at the major league level. Hall of famers are even more stratified. Last night, football had their night and inducted 7 new members including Deion Sanders. 267 men out of all that have played are in the hall.
I was working out this morning and caught some of Deion's speech. I have never been a fan of "Primetime" but enjoyed his talent. This morning, I heard a different man. I urge you to take the time to listen to his speech if you haven't already. He spoke of his Mama and all she did for him. He made a promise to her at age 7, he would make enough money to ensure she would never have to work again. That was the dream that fueled him to stardom. He had these quotes about dreams. "The problem with some dreams is they are only about you. If your dream ain't bigger than you, there's a problem with your dream."
Dreams are important to all of us. They need to sustain us throughout our lives. We can't stop dreaming when we finish school or we settle into a routine. Dreams are energy, excitement, hope. But Deion is right, they have to be bigger than you. They are about making a positive impact, motivation, improvement, learning and growing. Day to day, it's hard to push past just getting by. Our dreams need to motivate us to work a little harder, extend our comfort zones a little further, smile a little broader and engage a little longer.
I realized a couple of months ago that I stopped dreaming. My wife's recovery from a brain injury has rejuvenated my dreaming. I have moved from always trying to be right to trying to do what is right. So my dreams are motivating me to do a little more each day to make myself better in order to make others better.
I have some big dreams that I'll keep to myself, but hopefully will unfold over time. They help me get up in the morning and usually sleep soundly at night. Think about your dreams. Dream big and dream often!
I was working out this morning and caught some of Deion's speech. I have never been a fan of "Primetime" but enjoyed his talent. This morning, I heard a different man. I urge you to take the time to listen to his speech if you haven't already. He spoke of his Mama and all she did for him. He made a promise to her at age 7, he would make enough money to ensure she would never have to work again. That was the dream that fueled him to stardom. He had these quotes about dreams. "The problem with some dreams is they are only about you. If your dream ain't bigger than you, there's a problem with your dream."
Dreams are important to all of us. They need to sustain us throughout our lives. We can't stop dreaming when we finish school or we settle into a routine. Dreams are energy, excitement, hope. But Deion is right, they have to be bigger than you. They are about making a positive impact, motivation, improvement, learning and growing. Day to day, it's hard to push past just getting by. Our dreams need to motivate us to work a little harder, extend our comfort zones a little further, smile a little broader and engage a little longer.
I realized a couple of months ago that I stopped dreaming. My wife's recovery from a brain injury has rejuvenated my dreaming. I have moved from always trying to be right to trying to do what is right. So my dreams are motivating me to do a little more each day to make myself better in order to make others better.
I have some big dreams that I'll keep to myself, but hopefully will unfold over time. They help me get up in the morning and usually sleep soundly at night. Think about your dreams. Dream big and dream often!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Does It Make You Better?
It's has been awhile since I posted here. It was January 22nd to be exact-the last date my wife and I had before her cerebral hemorrhage. Happily, she is much better and I have stopped giving health updates.
This weekend has been a hotbed of activity in two sport-baseball and football. The end of July divides Major League Baseball teams into buyers and sellers. Teams like the Phillies, Red Sox and Yankees have been buyers, or acquirers of talent from other teams through trades. They look to add players that will help them make the playoffs and hopefully win the World Series. Other teams like the Astros and A's trade (sell) their stars in the hopes of getting younger players who will blossom into stars.
This year, the free agent market in football has gone crazy because of the NFL lockout. Typically, teams sign players in the spring and early summer. With the lockout just ending, all these signings must be done in a couple of days rather than months. If you're a Philadelphia sports fan, then you've been enjoying an exciting weekend as both the Phillies and Eagles have added player in the hopes of making them better.
Businesses need to do the same thing when looking at openings throughout their organization. With every position to be filled, the question is what kind of person do we need to make us better? This applies to internal and external candidates. It means you have to look at the needs of the organization and determine the appropriate skill sets to grow the organization. I'm fortunate that I work for such an organization with this mantra. If you're looking at employment and fortunate enough to have a couple of offers-pick the organization that is looking to make themselves better. Don't hesitate to ask the question.
The Phillies and Eagles are well run organizations-though I don't always agree with their moves, they are at least trying. Let's hope all these signings and trades make them better teams and bring multiple championships to Philadelphia this year.
This weekend has been a hotbed of activity in two sport-baseball and football. The end of July divides Major League Baseball teams into buyers and sellers. Teams like the Phillies, Red Sox and Yankees have been buyers, or acquirers of talent from other teams through trades. They look to add players that will help them make the playoffs and hopefully win the World Series. Other teams like the Astros and A's trade (sell) their stars in the hopes of getting younger players who will blossom into stars.
This year, the free agent market in football has gone crazy because of the NFL lockout. Typically, teams sign players in the spring and early summer. With the lockout just ending, all these signings must be done in a couple of days rather than months. If you're a Philadelphia sports fan, then you've been enjoying an exciting weekend as both the Phillies and Eagles have added player in the hopes of making them better.
Businesses need to do the same thing when looking at openings throughout their organization. With every position to be filled, the question is what kind of person do we need to make us better? This applies to internal and external candidates. It means you have to look at the needs of the organization and determine the appropriate skill sets to grow the organization. I'm fortunate that I work for such an organization with this mantra. If you're looking at employment and fortunate enough to have a couple of offers-pick the organization that is looking to make themselves better. Don't hesitate to ask the question.
The Phillies and Eagles are well run organizations-though I don't always agree with their moves, they are at least trying. Let's hope all these signings and trades make them better teams and bring multiple championships to Philadelphia this year.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Why Not?
I just came home from watching the latest Mark Wahlberg move, The Fighter. It's not the best movie I've ever seen, but it was awfully good. It's a story based on two half-brothers, Dicky Eklund and "Irish" Micky Ward. It's a complicated story but shows the importance of inspiration and power of the human spirit. It brought me back to a theme I have believed the last few years. Instead of focusing on why we can't, focus on why not? There are thousands of Micky Ward's in the world in all walks of life. Sure they've had their dark moments, but something inspired them to get off the mat and persevere. In Ward's case, it was his brother, girl friend, family and the town of Lowell, MA. What is it for you?
I still believe it comes down to defining who you want to be. We all have it in us to be more than we are. Life is tough, that's why a compelling vision is required to help us through difficult days and routine. I have been blessed to be surrounded by successful people. As I get older, it becomes a requirement. I look at Joan (my wife) and see all that she accomplished as a business woman and mother. I look at my current boss and former boss, Denise Day and Matt Manion, and see people of vision and belief in their core values. I look at those in my community who I work with and see good and a desire to make their communities better places for all. Given all my blessings-is there any reason I can't be the best husband, father, leader and writer?
As we near the end of January, decide what you want to be and how you wish to get there. Attach yourself to a vision emotionally that will drive you to greatness-however you define it. Let's make a pact that in 2011, we won't leave anything on the table. Let's attack life with all we have. I suspect we'll be energized like never before. Why not be great?
I still believe it comes down to defining who you want to be. We all have it in us to be more than we are. Life is tough, that's why a compelling vision is required to help us through difficult days and routine. I have been blessed to be surrounded by successful people. As I get older, it becomes a requirement. I look at Joan (my wife) and see all that she accomplished as a business woman and mother. I look at my current boss and former boss, Denise Day and Matt Manion, and see people of vision and belief in their core values. I look at those in my community who I work with and see good and a desire to make their communities better places for all. Given all my blessings-is there any reason I can't be the best husband, father, leader and writer?
As we near the end of January, decide what you want to be and how you wish to get there. Attach yourself to a vision emotionally that will drive you to greatness-however you define it. Let's make a pact that in 2011, we won't leave anything on the table. Let's attack life with all we have. I suspect we'll be energized like never before. Why not be great?
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