We are all living our own ‘personal story’ – each with its ups and downs, low points and high points. I’d like you to think about the ‘theme’ which guides your story.
Can you define it and why is it important to know what it is?
When you lose sight of the ‘you’ in your story
For those living in Australia – or indeed in other parts of the world, it would have been difficult to have missed the story of the Australian cricketer’s apparent fall from grace in their last series in India. Three players in particular have been tagged with many labels – fairly or unfairly.
The commentary around the story has judged that these players have forgotten what their stories should be – on an international stage. It is indeed very easy to judge from afar and in this case the media seems to be both judge and jury.
It is interesting to see the different perspectives presented in the commentary around their fall from the ‘winners pedestal’ – this story provides a good premise for us to ensure that the theme of our lives and the structures around our behaviours are both defined and aligned.
One factor I have observed in this story, which seems to be relevant in many different arenas including sport, business, politics and education to name a few, is this:
The pressure to win – at all costs.
When did playing the game with spirit, respect and humility disappear?
Is this a result of being ‘separate’ from others, from society, from belonging to community?
Standing Tall and of good character
It is incredibly difficult to ‘stand tall’ when you have crossed the ‘threshold”. Especially the one you have set for yourself.
In James Kerr’s book “Legacy – what the All Blacks can teach us about the Business of Life” – he identifies many insights as to how to live by the ethos, ‘great people, make great an All Black’, a belief that is strongly embodied and passed to all new comers.
It is not about being the most talented but those with the greatest character. That is the ‘story’ they live – how they shape their competitive advantage.
They manage their culture and underlying central narrative by attaching the player’s personal meaning to a higher purpose. It is the identity of the team that matters – not so much what the All Blacks do, but who they are, what they stand for, and why they exist.
All the parts of us, our strengths, our inherent qualities and our shadow(s) are involved in standing tall. That is definitely true for inspiring leaders, in all arenas.
It should be our acts that remain after us, not our vain glory. Leaders with mana (Maori word that captures many qualities) understand the strength of humility. It allows them to connect with their deepest values and the wider world.
‘Mana’ – A NZ Commonwealth athlete helping his mate from Fiji who got injured whilst in the gold medal position!
A question to ponder
In what situations do I decide to stand tall for what I believe in?
The role we play, depends on how we answer the question:
“What is my job on the planet? What is it that needs doing, that I know something about that probably won’t happen unless I take responsibility for it?” Buckminster Fuller
When we are ‘whole’ with this, it is easier to stand tall, to walk forward in our truth.
Let the questioning continue; the ability of the person is in asking the questions.
Humility allows us to ask a simple question: how can we/I do this better?
• What might happen if….?
• In this situation what would I do….what could I do….?
This will support you in making wise choices to the story you want to live!
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