It’s March Madness time. If you read this Brew on Friday, March 25, 2022, then the bracket is down to 12 teams! How is your bracket doing? There have been so many leadership lessons in just this 2022 season. After the finals are over, look for an edition of the Champions Brew focused on those leadership moments. This edition is a look at some Leadership Lessons from years past… Read on for more!
The Champion’s Brew is a weekly assembly of material I am reading, listening to, watching, or thinking about that is designed to equip and call you to uncommon leadership. I often add my own little spin based on my takeaways and would love your input as well. Any of the points especially impact you? Drop me a note at [email protected], or comment on the blog to keep the conversation going! I believe you will discover that the format is not only useful, but also that you can consume it within the time it takes you to enjoy your daily ‘brew’! Become a member of the Champions Brew Nation by subscribing here!!
Here is your weekly drink of what I have been reading, listening to or watching to equip me to:
- Work Hard & Build Faith – A recent devotional from Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Life Daily Challenge devotional drew a parallel between taking a charge in a basketball game and standing firm in your faith or your values. (Note: Of course, I am aware that Tony Dungy was not a basketball coach. But did you know that Tony Dungy actually played college basketball for the University of Minnesota? Yes, he did. In the 1973-74 season he played in 16 games for the Gophers averaging 2.6 points and 1 rebound per game!).
Taking a charge is one of my favorite plays in basketball. When I played basketball in high school, I think I may have led the team in bruised tailbones resulting from taking charges! Haha. For those of you who don’t know, taking a charge is “standing your ground”. Taking a charge is stepping in front of an offensive player and allowing them to run over you hoping to draw a foul on the offensive player. In the devotion, Dungy says “That (taking a charge, standing firm) is easier said than done, because life will run us over at times. When other people aren’t playing by the same rules, we might be unpopular, scoffed at, or not taken seriously. And often times, it hurts.”. Yes, it does hurt, Tony!
The same is true of the next generation of leaders (our children, too!) as they stand firm in a world that wants them to confirm. So, I encourage you to understand your values and stand firm… take a charge in life for your family, friends, and yourself.
- Quotes – Here’s a selection of quotes from some of the most successful March Madness Coaches, Players and Personalities
- “A leader has to know who he is and what he stands for. And he also has to say it, demonstrate it, and mean it if he ever hopes for people to follow him. And, believe me, when you stand strong in those vacillating winds for the first time, it’s easier to have courage again and again.” – Coach K – Mike Krzyzewski
- “Make each day your masterpiece.” – John Wooden
- “If you laugh, you think and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”– Jimmy V – Jim Valvano
- “Change equals self improvement. Push yourself to places you haven’t been.”
- “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better” -Pat Riley
- “Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It’s being able to take it as well as dish it out. That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from the players.” – Larry Bird
- “Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.” – Michael Gallagher – Have you not heard of this March Madness success? Well, listen to next week’s episode of the Uncommon Leader Podcast to learn more about his story and hear his Leadership Lessons from March Madness
What you need to do:
Call to Action: So, in what area in life do you need to “take a charge”? What stand do you need to take? Maybe some of the quotes above will help to inspire you to ‘stand strong in the vacillating wind’ or ‘do the right thing’.
Let’s continue the conversation. Email me at [email protected] or comment on the blog about what you find valuable with the Champions Brew this week. Is there something you would like to see me add? I am open to feedback!!!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with a friend who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, go and Grow Champions!
