Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
In my devotional time this week, I found myself back in Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Life. It posed a question that every leader needs to answer: What race are you running?
The Greek word for race is agon. If that looks familiar, it’s because it’s the root of our word agony. In the ancient world, it signified a match or a race where endurance and determination were required to overcome the inevitable moments of difficulty.
In any real race, you will experience “spiritual cramps” or mental fatigue. The common response is to slow down, to coast, or to settle for a “good enough” pace. But for the Uncommon Leader, the agony is simply the price of entry for excellence.
The Sunday Jog vs. The Disciplined Race
Too many people approach leadership like an occasional jog around the park—showing up when it’s convenient or comfortable. That is the equivalent of “just getting a few laps in.”
Running to win is different. It requires:
- Discipline: Training when you don’t feel like it.
- Perseverance: Pushing through the mile where everyone else quits.
- Faithfulness: Obeying the “Coach,” serving those in need, and loving those who disagree with you without compromising your values.
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
The “race to win” analogy is the perfect metaphor for the Uncommon Leader. Whether it is in your personal development, the development of your team, or the success of your business, you must be willing to run the extra mile regardless of what gets in the way. It’s often hard to define, but you know it when you see it.
“You Play to Win the Game”
I’m reminded of a book I read years ago by Herm Edwards, the Hall of Fame player and head coach. He’s famous for his “Hermisms,” specifically the legendary press conference where he barked: “You play to win the game!”
At the time, his team was 2-5. The season looked lost. But Herm’s point was that the moment you stop playing to win, you might as well retire. Why? Because it matters. That speech didn’t just fill a highlight reel; it inspired his team to go on a tear and secure a playoff spot that year.
As leaders, we can’t get caught up in the “it’s not important to win” trap. While the trophy itself isn’t the most important thing, the striving, the stretching, and the intent to win are everything. Whether it’s in your health, your relationships, your faith, or your work—if you aren’t running to win, you’re just taking up space on the track.
Quote of the Week
“I run with purpose in every step.” — 1 Corinthians 9:26
Being the Uncommon Leader means holding yourself to a standard that is often hard to define but impossible to miss. It’s the “tire shine” of excellence. Common leaders look for the finish line so they can stop; Uncommon Leaders look for the finish line so they can sprint.
Your mission isn’t just to participate. It’s to run with such purpose and discipline that those following you can’t help but pick up the pace.
What you need to do:
Call to Action: The Excellence Audit
To move from “jogging” to “running to win,” perform this short audit on your current “race.”
I want to hear from you. Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “RACE” and tell me how you’re applying these:
- Identify the “Good Enough” Areas: Where have you settled for a 2-5 record? Is it in your team’s development, your physical fitness, or your daily prayer life?
- Define Your Agon: What is the specific difficulty you’ve been avoiding because it’s “agony”? Decide today to push through that spiritual cramp.
- Stretch Your Pace: Pick one goal this week and don’t just “complete” it. Do it with the intent to win. Put in the extra mile that others aren’t willing to run.
Excellence is a habit, not an act. When we settle for ‘good enough’ in the small things, we lose the capacity to win in the big things. What is one ‘small’ area where you can raise your standard today?
It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning and living in the trenches of leadership. If this edition challenged you to stop jogging and start sprinting, SHARE it with a teammate who needs to hear the “Hermism” today, then click Subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next week—stay focused, stay disciplined, and finish the race with joy, Champions!
