Recent weeks have included non-stop sports coverage. On any given Saturday, there was television coverage from the World Cup, the Prefontaine Classic (track and field), Wimbeldon tennis championship, basketball championships, and baseball. People tuned in, tweeted, and posted Facebook updates every hour on the hour.
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
