Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - 2009!
Many years ago, I heard the story of a young man who played football at a Division III New England college. It's a great story that I have never forgotten... A freinds from GAMA, Herman Dixon and also an executive with State Farm, reminded me of this story a few weeks back... I have felt impressed to share it with you and have added some personal thoughts. The player had not been a "star performer" on the football team, but one that was visible at practices and participated though he never played enough during this first three years to win a varsity letter.
At the end of his junior year, the college hired a new coach. This coach set as a goal to win the conference championship and his focus became centered on those players who possessed the talent to bring this goal into reality. Though the coach spoke with this young athlete, he really did not take the time to effectively "know" the young man in completeness. As fall practice came forth and the opening games progressed, the coach often saw the young man with a distinguished man after the games, but never took the time to properly introduce himself or find out in detail any personal information other than it was the young man's father..
As the season progressed, the team won and placed itself in position to win the conference and thus advance to the playoffs for the first time in over twenty-years. The moment came with a late season game with the prior year's champion. The home event brought much excitement throughout the campus and the week's practice began with a demanding onslaught.
Late Monday evening, the coach heard a knock at his office door. Responding for the guest to enter, the young athlete with a look of despair in his face entered the room. The coach recognized the look and stopped his work to ask the young man what was wrong. The response came that the young man's father had died earlier in the day and he wanted to go home. The coach offered his sympathy and told the young man that his absence was fine. "Your family needs you son," replied the coach. "Go on home." The young man thanked the coach and then said something that caused the coach to pause. The young man said, "I will be back for the game coach, I will be back." The coach told the young man to not worry about that obligation and ushered him out of the office. He then went back to work on the game thinking how he should have done more. Soon, that thought was replaced by his focus on the game.
Friday came forth and as the coach worked in his office later that evening, another knock was heard. As he announced the visitor to enter, he was shocked at what he saw: the young athlete had returned. "I am back coach, just as I promised," spoke the young man. "Son," replied the coach, "You did not have to do this, your family needs you," the coach conveyed. "No coach, my place is here. My family agreed, "the young man quickly responded. "But, I do have one request. I want to play tomorrow coach, please", replied the young man. "I have been on this team for four years. I have never, never asked for anything. I am now asking that you allow me to play in tomorrow's game." The coach stared for what seemed like an eternity to him but only a few seconds in reality. As he thought in this mind: "Tomorrow is the biggest game of all. I have got to have the best players on the field at all times. I will risk it all if I let this kid play, but I feel so sorry for him…" "Ok son," came the coach's reply. "I will get you in the game tomorrow." The young man departed the coach's office and walked down the darkened hallway toward the exit way and into the night.
The rest of the evening the coach stressed on what he had promised. What a mistake he had made but he could not go back on his word. He finally resolved that he would put him on the kickoff team toward the outside and away from potential danger. He would have kept his word and he then could go on with the game.
Game time came. The crowd roared with excitement! The bands played the fight song and the team was motivated as it entered the playing field. After the coin toss and the team huddled around the coach for final instructions, the coach motioned to the young man that he was to be on the kick off team and where he was to be positioned. The young man took the field without a smile or thanks. His stoic face was focused on the field and the events it beheld.
The ball was kicked and with blistering speed the young man sped to the ball carrier hitting him with such force that he fumbled the ball and the young man quickly scooped it up and rambled into the end zone for a touchdown. The coach was shocked with what he saw. The young man's effort led the coach to play him in more situations in the game. When the game had ended, this young unheralded athlete had scored three touchdowns; made ten solo tackles; intercepted three passes; caused four fumbles. It was a game worthy of a historical recognition. The team won the championship handedly.
As the press surrounded the coach asking where this great "iron man" had been all year, the young athlete was nowhere to be found. Finally after the noise of the locker room had settled and the coach searched, he found the young man standing in a darkened corner of the locker room, his face with a smile and his stature symbolic of high self-esteem. "Son", said the coach, "Where did this come from? Why have you not given more during practice?" "I just can't believe it!" The young man looked the coach directly in the eye and replied, "Coach, you know that my father was always with me at the games and walked with me after the games." "Yes I know", replied the coach. "Well coach," replied the young man, "What you and many others did not know was my father was blind and today is the first game he ever got to see me play." "I wanted him to see me play as a champion."
Who is watching you play for the first time?
Are they seeing you play as a “champion” or are they watching a passive performance? Are you getting the benefit of the many valuable tools that Farmers and the broader industry has to offer? Are you developing as an industry leader? Are you stepping forward to investigate the broadened opportunities that are available all around you? Are you the leader within our organization that you need to be? Are you providing value to others in a manner and measure that will enhance your agency’s performance?
The final question becomes,
Will you step forward and play like a champion in 2009?
As you look to this next year, I challenge you to become a champion member of our team. Step out of your comfort zone. Set your personal fears aside and be a champion. You can do it! The possibilities are endless, especially during these turbulent times. That may seem like a conflicting statement, but it is true. Your prospects, contacts adn clients are looking for your direction and a relationship of trust. In a time of uncertainty, they are looking for a competent, caring professional to show them the way. They are looking for a person who can clearly articulate a message of self-reliance and preparedness. Will you be that champion? Of course you will…
Here are six simple action items to guide your efforts:
1. Set Audacious Goals - “Where there is no vision, the people perish!”
2. Surround Yourself With Other Champions - Avoid the turkeys and soar with the eagles!
3. Protect Your Attitude - This secret weapon will determine your altitude!
4. Make Professional Development a Priority - Knowledge is power, seek it!
5. Work Like It All Depends on You – Nothing can replace hard work!
6. Be Accountable - Make your word your bond!
Agency is a powerful thing. We all have it; the power or will to act, to exercise your personal will or not. You can either choose to make it happen or not! The ball is in your court. It’s your move... At the end of the day, when the lights fade and the crowd departs, the only one that knows is you and the truth.
Give it all you can and you will come to experience the indescribable taste of being a champion. You will earn the profound satisfaction of knowing that you did your best.
There can be no greater feeling!
