Memorial Day

Major Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 - May 11, 2007)

“The Lion of Fallujah” was a two-time NCAA All American collegiate wrestler for the United States Naval Academy, an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and a war hero. Major Zembiec was killed in action while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Beyond his valor on the field of battle, Major Zembiec is also known for his exceptional leadership and inspiring quotes.

A good friend of mine, who is also a Marine, compiled these quotes from major Zembiac into a mantra that his 6 year old son recites every night at bedtime right before his prayers. It reads as follows:

“Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep you word. Serve country and your God. Teach, mentor, and give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend, a better husband, and an even better father. Be humble and be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle and in life. Take responsibility for your actions.”

The Wisdom of Will

Leadership with its many facets can be difficult to define, but great leadership is easy to recognize. The mission of this blog is to bridge the two, and create a dialogue that will help us all to grow into quality leaders based upon strong personal character. The video below exemplifies this through various interviews in which Will Smith shares his wisdom on how to succeed in life.

Vision Part 2

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­John 9: 39-41

  Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
  Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
  Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”




How many of us live our lives short sighted? Where does this lead? How can we achieve anything, much less lead if we live our lives short sighted?

  Our lack of foresight manifests itself in many ways: When looking at the schedule for the upcoming season, it is all too common for fans, coaches, and athletes to predict the team’s wins and losses. We often gravitate to the latest and the greatest devices, fashion, etc. in hopes that they will lead to happiness. I once had a student talk to me about her future plans and in so doing used this statement,” When I get married the first time…”, she already assumed she would be getting married multiple times!  What Jesus tells us is that our “blindness” is rooted in our lack of faith. Leaders who lack faith are truly blind.
 This begs the question: Where does a blind leader get their vision? In the video clip we see a coach whose vision is clear. We also see a charismatic athlete with strong leadership abilities but has already chalked up the next game as a loss. He lacks faith and his vision for the team is short sighted. By blind folding this athlete, his coach has eliminated his handicap and forced the athlete to depend on faith. Faith in the coach’s vision.
  Choosing to be blindfolded in lieu of short sighted vision can seem counter intuitive. (i.e. Some sight is better than none.) Yet by removing our faithless eyes we remove our limits. Our power and strength becomes limitless and so do our goals. It will be hard. There will be pain, and at times you will feel like quitting. This is when you have to hold on to the one thing that will see you through it all: faith.

Mark 10:52
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road

Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish.- Proverbs 19:18

One of the key components to being a strong leader is vision. For the sake of this post we’ll use the following working definition of vision (from a leadership context): The ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom; a mental image of what the future will or could be like. You have to know where you’re going if you want others to follow you.

Your vision will define your actions. As a leader you will have to be able to see what others can't, you will have to communicate that vision, motivate the rest of your team to get behind it, and lead the way to accomplishing the goals tied to that vision. Here's a great example of this:

A blind man riding a motorcycle? Who would ever believe that could be possible? He is blind yet has a clear vision of himself and his goals. In order to purchase the motorcycle the man has an obvious obstacle that he has to overcome. He does not allow his handicap to stand in the way of his goal. His vision defines his actions, even when others don’t buy in to it.. He can “see” what others can’t and leads them to accomplish his goal.

Ask yourself: What’s your vision for yourself? What’s your vision for your team? What are the obstacles that stand in your way? How will you get those around you to help you achieve your goals?

Magis (Continued)

I found this short video clip that explains the magis philosophy:

Magis

  Lately I’ve been reading about St. Ignatius Loyola and the Jesuit order. Within my studies I’ve been particularly drawn to one phrase in particular, magis.  Magis is a Latin based phrase that means “the more”. It refers to the Jesuit philosophy of doing more for Christ. It comes directly out of three key questions St. Ignatius would ask of others around him:

Ø  What have I done for God?

Ø  What am I doing for God?

Ø  What more can I do for Him?

   We are on this earth for a reason. We have each been blessed with many unique gifts and talents. It is our duty to maximize these and glorify God in all that we do. When we engage magis, we make the commitment to not only do our very best in everything we do, but to also use these gifts and talents to serve others. This means not only are you required to be a great student you must also do something to enhance the education of your classmates. You should not only give 100% in every game and practice, you must also get 100% out of each and every teammate as well.  Be your best in all that you do. Be the best: friend, brother, sister, student, athlete, parent, spouse, employee, employer, LEADER. Be the best person you can be, always. When you make this commitment to magis you commit to allowing your light to shine, which in turn inspires the same action in those around you.

You were not made to be o.k. You were made for greatness, don’t settle for any less.

“Success has been, and continues to be defined as getting up one more time than you’ve been knocked down.”

Christ defeats death by rising up one more time. In fact he rises more powerful than before, rallies his apostles and leads us to everlasting life. We are challenged to honor this every day, in everything we do.
 There will be bad plays, bad games, and bad seasons. Beyond sport life is full of challenges. Those challenges are where we test our merit. So don't wallow in it. Get up. Rally your teammates, and move forward. You're made to succeed.
Jesus’s life, death and resurrection is a testament of God’s love for us. It lays down the ultimate challenge. We are invited to be more. The only way to achieve that is to do more for others. Lead the way and let your light shine.

What Ced Said

This is an excerpt from a recent interview with the Cincinnati Bengals running back, Cedric Benson the other day on Sirius Radio:

His response to what changes need to be made (in regards to the Bengals) :

 “I’d like to see leadership, I’d like to see things that I saw when Chicago made the Super Bowl. I saw the offensive line as a unit in the weight room. No matter what it was they were always together. The receivers always together. Just some leadership. Even if you’re a young guy take the ropes. Step up. No one is keeping it from you. Come in and work hard. I’m going to lead the way. The path I’m going down is going to be strict and strenuous and tough and I’m not saying you have to walk the same path as me but walk besides me. Become something more important than just a player. Become an All Pro. If you set your mind on it we will become a playoff contending team.”

Impressive.

A Champion Long Before He Won the Title

“Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.”

-Dan Gable

  This past weekend a national champion was crowned. Arizona State wrestler Anthony Robles won the NCAA title in the 125lb weight class, and he did it on one leg. Based upon the interviews I've watched and everything I've read, it seems to me that his final victory only validated what was already true. Anthony Robles has a champion's heart. This title wasn't won this past weekend in Philadelphia. It was won over the course of several years of discipline, hard work, confidence, and determination.

"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God."

-Leo Buscaglia

   Just like Anthony Robles, we all have strengths and weaknesses. Some are more obvious than others. Excuses and doubters are plentiful. No matter what you're trying to achieve, when it gets hard you don't have to look far to find a way out. There's never a shortage of people (including ourselves) who will expose our weaknesses and try to convince us that we can't achieve our goals because of them. Ultimately it comes down to a question of character. In sports we refer to this as "having heart". It's one of the most admirable qualities that people respond to in a leader.
   I train/mentor a group of high school athletes a few days a week. Our school is very blessed to have a first rate training facility. Even with this incredible facility and all of the state of the art equipment, there is still one basic truth. Nothing can replace hard work and dedication. There's no way around it.
  When I start working with a new group of kids there's an atmosphere of excitement and trepidation. The excitement stems from the results they have seen with other athletes that have trained with me. The trepidation is rooted in the rather intense work outs that I take those athletes through to get them there. The kids tend to think I have this secret workout knowledge that yields almost magical results. Well I'm going to share my big secret: You have greatness within you.

   My "magic" is that I can see it. The workouts are merely a tool I use to reveal it. Once athletes see it, believe in it, and take ownership of it, nothing can stop them. It's really not any more complicated than that. As I said before, these workouts are extremely intense. Every training session we work to our breaking point. We push our bodies to failure. That is the moment of our focus. This moment defines our character. We can pack it up and call it a day. Or, we can look deep inside ourselves; see our light; recognize our greatness; and push past all of the reasons for stopping. THAT is where character is defined. That is where greatness and success grow. It is this lesson that we carry with us onto the field or court, into the ring, or onto the mat.

   It is moments like this where a kid born with one leg moves beyond all the reasons he can't do it, and does it anyway. Anthony Robles was a champion long before he won the title.

March Madness

“March madness” is upon us. It is the time of year where Cinderella gets her invitation to the ball. Some teams’ dreams will be burst as others come true. In terms of identity, it’s a time of validation. Conference Champions are crowned as some seasons end. Some will go to the NIT while the truly elite will compete for the national championship. As Coach Parcells said, ”You are what your record says you are.”

This season of madness coincides with the season of Lent. The 40 days of Lent reflect the 40 days in the desert where Christ’s identity was forged. In the time of Jesus, a Jewish man would go into the desert to face his demons. We see this in multiple places in the bible. Moses is thrown into the desert only to re-emerge as the leader of the Hebrews. He then leads the Hebrews out of bondage and back into the desert where their identity as God’s people is solidified. John the Baptist goes off to live in the desert as a wild man where he embraces his role as the one who will announce the coming of the Messiah. Many come to the desert to have John baptize them and claim them for God, literally anointing them with their identity.

There are yet even more examples of people who retreat into seclusion and to find their identity. The Prophet Mohamed leaves Mecca and retreats into a cave where he receives his first revelation of God. The Buddha leaves his royal life of luxury to follow the ways of an ascetic. St. Francis of Asissi leaves his comfort and inheritance to live among the lepers and beggars.

All of these stories (and there are many, many more) are about leaders who seclude themselves to find out who they are; why they are; and to whom they belong. It is the beginning of the hero’s journey. In other words, when you turn inward and ask the important questions, you find your identity and that in turn defines your character. This will guide your decisions and actions hence forth. In the words of Joseph Campbell: "We're not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.”

As we begin Lent, we begin our walk into the desert and face our demons. Just as Christ is tempted by Satan but stands firm thus identifying Himself as the Messiah, you too must look at yourself and face your demons. How will you respond? You see it’s easy to make the right choice when people are watching. Very few thieves will rob your house while you are home. Most will wait until the house is empty. It’s the choices you make when no one is watching that define you. It is in these moments that you face your demons. It is those choices that shape your character. It is those aspirations that reveal your identity.
I use these examples when speaking to young people all the time:

Let’s say you stop at the store and buy a candy bar for a dollar. You hand the cashier a $5. The cashier accidently hands you back $10 too much in change. Do you acknowledge the mistake and correct the cashier or do you stay quiet and keep the money? Some would say what great luck and too bad for them. I would ask only this. What did you sell for a couple bucks? I would offer that your character and in fact your soul is worth much more than that.

What if you found the answer key to a high stakes test, a test that determined your eligibility, graduation or could award you a full scholarship to college. If you could use this and know that you would never get caught, would you? What is the cost? Your credentials from the test (i.e. your identity) would be built upon a lie. In the day and age we live in these types of choices are so prevalent that to many they don’t see an issue. I would offer that we as a population suffer from identity crisis. I would further submit that is why things like character and leadership ability seem to erode more and more each day.

We see examples all the time. Look at the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. It comes from a “win at all costs” attitude. I believe the cost of cheating is too great.

So welcome to March Madness, a time when demons are either embraced or disgraced. This is a time when leaders are forged through choices and actions. Followers simply atrophy on the side lines. Which way will you go?

Coach Rice Leads By Example

  This week I saw a great example of how identity defines a leader. The Rutgers Scarlett Knights last hopes for making the NCAA tournament were extinguished when they were defeated by St. John’s 65-63. Unfortunately, the game ended with a lapse in officiating. This cost the Scarlett Knights an opportunity at over-time and possibly a win.
   In the melee of replays and scrutiny that followed, I was struck by Rutgers coach Mike Rice’s reaction during his post-game interviews. In a situation where most of us (myself included) would have lost our composure, Coach Rice took the high road. This comes back to identity. Coach Rice’s statement wasn’t written by his public relations people. His character shaped his reaction. This, in turn, defined the path his team will follow.

You can view his reaction here:

This Little Light of Mine...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”                          
                                                                              - Marianne Williamson

   It all begins and ends with identity. Who am I? What is my purpose? To whom do I belong? For most of us these are difficult and sometimes scary questions to grapple with. Yet, until we can answer them we are left to be defined by others. We drift according to the ebb and flow of our environment. However when we are willing to do the work; look inside; and answer these questions, we open ourselves up and become the light of the world for those around us.

   Often times a leader’s most important decisions come in the heat of the moment. Whether it is during a game, in the classroom, at home, or hanging out with our friends, there will be unexpected situations where immediate choices need to be made. We can’t possibly hope to know all the questions, but when we know who we are, we have all the answers. Things like peer pressure don’t stand a chance against the pressure of our own values.

   When others see your conviction through your actions they will follow. When you hold yourself accountable to a greater purpose your direction becomes clear. When you embrace your light, you become a beacon through which others can find their way out of the darkness. 

As is stated in the beginning of the Gospel of John:

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

...LET IT SHINE!!

So what's a "World-Shaker"?

world-shak·er

  /ˈwɜrldˌʃeɪkər/ Show Spelled[wurld-shey-ker]

–noun

something of sufficient importance to affect the entire world. 

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2011.

  The definition of the title for my blog seems as good a place as any to start my first post. I first became familiar with the term world-shaker in 7th grade, when my gym teacher/coach/mentor, (Coach B) would quote the film Cool Hand Luke all the time. At first I thought it was just some odd thing he would say, but it wasn't long before I sat down and watched the movie (several times) and was quoting it myself. Now over 25 years later as a teacher and coach myself, I still quote and refer to that movie with my students. I believe we're all "natural-born world-shakers". 

As Vince Lombardi famously said: 

“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”