We or Me?
May 20, 2013
Great lessons can arrive when least suspected. One of those moments recently showed up while playing golf with my son and a friend. The setting was the three of us were a team playing scramble golf.
The flow of our team was very positive and we were playing fairly well. The story begins as we found ourselves in a precarious position. The shot we were facing required a measure of skill. As always in golf the club selection is big.
On this particular shot I chose a club with a low percentage of success for me. For me the shot with this club would require a perfect hit. My thought was if I pull this off I would be a hero. And honestly that was my main goal.
But it was very foolish of me to go for the glory when my team needed me to take a safe shot. A key mistake in my decision was I failed to factor what my team most needed from me and what was my primary role on the team.
By now you have surmised that my attempt at this shot failed miserably. After the shot my son ask me what I was trying to do? What club I used and why I would take this risk when the team needed me to play a safe shot? He also added; Dad if you would have played a safe shot you would have enabled a more advanced player to take the more difficult shot. Ouch!
My own pride and lack of wisdom were immediately exposed.
The leadership lessons also began racing through my mind. The first power point was my failure to realize how my choice affected the team as a whole. My poor club selection matched by an equally poor shot lowered their confidence in me and the confidence of our team as a whole.
Here are a few more take-a-ways that I think might be helpful.
1. A good team member knows their role
As the #2 player on the team my role was to strengthen both the #1 and #3 player. I am able to do this by both consistency and wise choices. I failed my team with my poor judgment, personal selfishness, and moving beyond my expected role.
2. A good team member always keeps the interest of the team as the primary focus.
We often suffer temporary blindness when we become self focused. When the focus is on “me” we become bigger than the greater. The team is always greater than any one individual member. The best interest and well being of the team must be the primary factor in all decisions. Seth Godin has been quoted as saying; “Some people are so caught up in themselves that their email is called “me-mail.”
3. Great team members give the limelight to others 
I chose to try and steal the limelight and be the hero. Ultimately my decision made me the “zero” for the moment. Most of us know that choosing to take the low road normally always takes us higher. The scripture says; whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The old saying is; you can do almost anything you want when you do not care who gets the credit.
Our lives can make a difference when we realize the difference our lives can make.
It is so true that teams can accomplish more. John Maxwell has so eloquently said; 1 is too small a number to do something great. While I realize there are great people doing great things I also know that teams with a “we” mindset certainly accomplish more than any 1 of us.
I hope my thoughts have been helpful.
Your comments are solicited and appreciated.
iLife for Success
May 17, 2013
Life is about adjustments, renewal, and reminders. Sometimes a change of thought can change the entire day.
Maybe these simple words can do just that.
I am – the discovery of God’s plan and purpose for my life
I think – the discretionary power to discern truth from fact
I know – the power to understand
I feel – the power to assess and control emotions
I wonder – the power of understanding God’s amazing ways
I see – the power of faith, imagination, and knowledge
I believe – the power of agreeing with God and His word
I can – the power to act and the skill to accomplish
I ought – the power of conviction and resolve
I will – the power of right choices
I serve – the power of giving self to the devoted cause of others
I am sure you can embellish this list.
Your thoughts and comments are appreciated and solicited
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