So as I drooled and put my remote control into overdrive along with everyone else tuning in whenever I could, a few interesting questions occurred to me. How many of those dedicated sports fans and couch potatoes are aspiring leaders still sitting in the stands waiting for something to happen? What would it take for those potential leaders to get up and get involved?

While there’s no magic potion or easy button that mobilizes people to take the lead, it might be worth considering what would happen if people just got off the bench, out of the bleachers, and onto the playing field of life. Assume that each one assumed their respective leadership roles rather than deferring to others?

Imagine this. All those who tracked their favorite athletes, playoffs, or tournaments took the first steps to get in the game themselves. They would consider getting out the stands of life and onto the field. They would start the training. They would set goals and achieve personal bests. They would sharpen their game and hone their skills.

Whether or not there’s agreement about the process, just getting off the bench and out of the stands requires action. It means having a commitment to personal engagement and a plan. But, more than that it takes spunk. I’m talking about real gumption.

In Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success, I talk about having tenacity to take action. It’s about creating a legacy and making a difference not just cheering others on. At the end of the day, it’s about what each of us can do to get in the game.

Hopefully others get the message that it starts within and with the same fervor that professional athletes have for their game. It is possible. There’s hope if just one sports fan takes steps to “just do it again” and get off the bench!
-Dawn McCoy, author of Leadership Building Blocks

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How can I find words to reflect upon the years of persecution and his response with peace and wherewithal to lead a nation divided? That can only be by sharing his words of wisdom.

Rather than take time to write my own words, it seemed more befitting to bring his words to the forefront in my reflection.

“I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

“In my country we go to prison first and then become President.”

“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.” -Excerpt from Long Walk to Freedom.

“I always remember the axiom: a leader…is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

-Reflections compiled by Dawn McCoy, author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success

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Count me among her new potential fans. I continue to be impressed how she handles herself as a leader stepping onto the international platform. Seemingly, the section I penned about savvy sound bites in Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success is timely and relevant.

The 48-year old Welsh-born attorney and former union official has recently gained significant traction with the public in Australia. The media and others are digging deeper to get a closer look. Nonetheless, she holds her own. That’s for sure.

1. Trend-Setting– Just take for example how she responded to inquiries about being the first red-headed Australian prime minister. She skillfully responds saying “The first woman and maybe the first red-head? We’ll allow others to delve into the history and I’ll allow you to contemplate which was more unlikely in the modern age.” According to CNN news she went on to say that “I didn’t set out to crash my head on any glass ceilings. I set out to keep my feet on the floor.”

2. Non-Issues– A senator questioned Gillard’s readiness for office and cited that since she had no children that she was “deliberately barren.” She ignored the comment and referred to him as a “man of the past.” She also went on sharing enlightened thinking saying that “I certainly never made a choice of work over family or politics over family. I didn’t make that choice but I made a set of choices along the way which added up to one big choice.”

3. Reality Check– She is aware of the road ahead. She also knows she is neither in a popularity contest nor a beauty pageant. In her first official remarks, she said “There will be some days I delight you, there may be some days I disappoint you. On every day I will be working my absolute hardest for you.”

4. Women in Leadership– On the issue of women in Parliament, she knows there is still much work to be done to get more women in leadership positions. According to News.com Australia, she said that “because there are so many prominent women in this Government it causes people to overlook the fact that if you do the numbers we’re still 27 or 28 per cent across the Parliament, so there’s more to do here.”

It’s unfortunate that when some women leaders assume the helm their credibility, authenticity, and capability come into question. Gillard does not pretend that all is well in Oz but at least she appears to be a leader tackling the mundane and meaningful simultaneously.

Check out what reporter Julia Baird writes in a June Newsweek article that provides insight into Gillard’s makeup as a budding and respected leader. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/24/being-julia.html

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It seems to me that most of us have a fear of taking the first step. Possibly those who have innate leadership abilities might be more inclined to take an initial step to do something, to get a project or initiative done.

What are some ways we can all just get over that first hurdle and buckle down to make things happen? Take a peek inside to look at a few fundamentals from Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success:

Vision – We can take the first step when we have done our homework about where we need to start to have an impact. It’s important to approach this with our creative genius and whatever skills work best for us. I’m creative, so I’ll use color marking pens and artwork to chart my steps. Focus here will eliminate confusion.

Everything Global – We will only succeed with the appropriate support systems required. This means having mentors, role models, and teachers. Taking time out will help you enhance your knowledge and secure unknown resources through a solid support network.

Balance – When we devote equitable time to the projects and endeavors that rank highest on our priority lists we will make in-roads. If we are too busy, procrastinate, or have ongoing competing priorities, then we cannot focus on what matters most.

If we each take the time today to do something, then we can achieve anything!

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Regardless, I marvel when Wimbeldon kicks off knowing that I will see some remarkable action, strategies, and tactics on the court. Look at that record-breaking first-round match last week that went 10 hours of play!

Just like the principles in my book Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success, these super-athletes take charge of the predictable and the unexpected. They scope out next steps and meet each opponent with a deep fervor and swift action. In the same way, leaders must have the strength to do the same.

1. Pause – Every tennis player takes a moment to consider a course of action. He or she stops at the moment – even if for a few seconds – to make a decision. Tenacious leaders should also take heed following this important step. Author David Kundtz sums it up best in one of my favorite books, Stopping:

“Stopping is taking notice of the space between the notes. Stopping is making the space between the notes important. Stopping is transforming the space between the notes into life-giving, waking up and remembering.”

2. Evaluate – Great tennis players take stock of any action. It’s as if tennis pros take inventory of the ripple effect that might follow. They do! In the same way, leaders must evaluate circumstances, issues, benchmarks, and other considerations when making decisions. This way, there is a thorough analysis and vetting of any issue.

3. Examine – Once a player executes his or her tennis shot then there is a time for brief reflection. This is a time to take a step back and look at the outcome of the decision made and adjust accordingly. What’s great is that most of the pros quickly re-group if there were unforced errors showing the rest of us how to examine and keep going.

Thank goodness Wimbeldon coming around every year gives leaders and sports enthusiasts alike the opportunity to glean valuable lessons from the wide world of sports.

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