Today's Leadership Insight - Don't Just Play the Game...

July 27th, 2009

Don't Just Play the Game...Play the Game to Win.

A statement like this very closely relates to the sports world. When you think of the most competitive and successful figures in their respected sport, there's not the least shred of doubt that they are leaders.

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Leader. He played the game to win, not just to play. This truth was evident in the way he would take control of a game in the waning minutes. His teammates rallied around him and believed they could get the job done with him leading the charge. There was no doubt #23 was going to step into the spotlight and get the job done.

John Elway...former Denver Broncos QB. Led the Broncos to comebacks in so many clutch situations, it's hard to fathom the amount of ice water running through his veins. But with Elway at the helm, the Broncos knew they were never out of it. Why? Because Elway believed he'd bring his team back. Every single time. He played to win.

Tiger Woods...arguably the best golfer today, and most likely will end up the best golfer of all time. His mental toughness and focus consistently puts him at the top of the leaderboard (British Open not withstanding). Why? Because Tiger doesn't think about the downside...he thinks about the upside, then makes it happen! He stares down a 15-foot putt that needs to drop and doesn't think about what will happen if it doesn't. He sees it going in the hole. He plays to win.

Pat Summitt...greatest Women's Basketball coach of all-time. Winningest coach at the collegiate level, both men and women's. A genuine leader. She leads her team onto the court with confidence, and the players are infected by it. This leads to win after win after win. To consistently do what Summitt has done, year after year, is nothing short of extraordinary. She plays to win.

Today, as you enhance your business and leadership potential, remember that it's not enough to just play the game. Those who just play the game are a distant memory tomorrow.

Play the game to win, and you set yourself up for legendary things to happen. Jordan, Elway, Woods, Summitt, and countless others play the game to win on a daily basis.

Do the same. Be the leader that steps up when it matters.

Do extraordinary things.