Everyone has a chance to be a hero to someone. You don’t even have to be dead to be a hero. With Memorial Day approaching, it got me to thinking about those in my life that I have looked up to as heroes. Unfortunately, holidays like Memorial Day and funerals seem to be the only times that we really stop and think about the impact that someone had on our lives. These are the times that we remember, or better yet, celebrate their life and their lasting legacy on those that they touched.
The Greatest Tragedy
“The greatest tragedy in life is wasted talent” (Robert DeNiro’s character in “A Bronx Tale”)
He was a collegiate national champion, an All-American football player and the number-6 pick in the NFL.
He dragged his girlfriend down a flight of stairs before smashing her head into a mailbox, he repeatedly displayed a series of destructive behaviors and even killed a man.
He eventually committed suicide in January of 2016 in his prison cell.
He was Lawrence Phillips, one of the greatest collegiate running backs of all-time and one of the greatest tragedies of life.
It is too bad that he wasn’t the last troubled superstar we heard about.
Everyone Communicates; Few Connect
“The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee and I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun.” (John D. Rockefeller)
My brother and I can chat for 30 minutes on the phone and when I hang up, I can’t answer any questions from my wife about my brother’s family or what’s really going on in his life. But, boy can I tell you his opinion on Michigan football or the Detroit Tigers. [Read more…]
March Madness Underdogs
March Madness is upon us and people are getting ready to fill out those pesky brackets. We love this time of year because of the drama and possibilities that exist when Davids meet Goliaths. Will this finally be the year that a 16-seed defeats a 1-seed? Who will make it to the Final Four? What team will become the Cinderella story of the story? Who will be cutting down the nets when “One Shining Moment” is playing on CBS? Who will be the underdogs you will be rooting for?
LOL Chicago Bulls
“The main ingredient to stardom is the rest of the team.” (Coach John Wooden)
“A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way” (John C. Maxwell)
Have you seen the Chicago Bulls recently? LOL
Are You Growing?
I was a youngster when The Empire Strikes Back was in theaters. I loved that line then and I love it today. It can be used in a variety of settings. However, as I have been thinking about leadership the last few weeks, it has become apparent that some of us get stagnant and don’t really commit to growth as leaders. We say we’ll try, but we don’t really.
Be a Star in your Role
Tristan Thompson’s huge double-double in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals and unselfish play in all of the games helped lead the Cleveland Cavs to the World Championship. Good thing for Cavs fans and players that he didn’t pout about his boring and un-glamorous role. He might not be Lebron James, but he can now call himself a CHAMPION!
Many of us are in positions or roles that we don’t like. Some of us are in leadership positions where we have disgruntled team members. I want tell you a little story. A story that I don’t think I will ever forget.