KBTEAM
After a short hiatus, I’m back this week with another installment in our series on winning.
Back in the day, I was a little league baseballer.
I played shortstop.
And I was good too.
They called me “hoover” because I could vacuum up any ball hit my way.
I was also good with the bat.
I will never forget the time; the announcer introduced me as “Downtown Kevin Brown.”
I loved that time in my life.
Playing.
Practicing.
Winning.
Oh, we lost plenty, too.
But winning was always better.
Our coach was Mr. Cooper.
A big man with a gruff voice.
No longer in playing shape, but a master at teaching the game.
He was missing most of his right index finger.
Someone told me he used to teach shop class.
He pointed with his middle finger, which made us laugh every time.
Coach was hard on us.
I suppose you need to be when you’re trying to teach 12-year-olds something.
The season started with a speech.
“I’ve got three rules, fellas” he’d bellow.
“Rule number one, win or lose, we play as a team.”
“Rule number two, take care of your business. Play your position.”
“Rule number three, have fun.”
That was it.
Nothing fancy.
Short and simple.
And might I add, profound.
As the season went on, he would reinforce these rules.
He knew our young brains might need to hear it again and again.
I guess he knew that repetition is the motor of learning.
During the game, coach had some wise words too.
If we struck out, dropped a fly ball, or missed a tag, he was always the encourager.
He would cup his hands around his mouth and holler,
“Shake it off.”
“Keep your head in the game”
“Get ‘em next time.”
He was constantly sending messages to his players.
But the greatest gift he ever gave us was non-negotiable.
A fundamental to the fundamentals of playing the game.
At the end of every practice and before every game, he’d go back to his pre-season rules.
Except now there was a fourth.
He’d say “Ok, boys, you’re looking good out there. Now remember our rules.”
“Win or lose, we play as a team.”
“Take care of your business. Play your position.”
“Have fun.”
“And, no matter the outcome, we’re gonna shake hands with the other team when it’s over.”
Sportsmanship was non-negotiable for Mr. Cooper.
It didn’t matter how happy we were with a win or how mad we were about a loss.
We shook hands and said “good game” to our competitors.
Friends, it matters how you play the game, and it matters how you win.
I think Mr. Cooper’s wisdom just might be good fundamentals for business and life.
And when things don’t go as planned.
And above all else, win with integrity. Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
Honor your opponent.
Respect their effort.
Appreciate your teammates.
As coach used to say, “Winning isn’t everything, how you win is.”
Now get out there and have some fun.
Kevin D. Brown is a branding and culture expert. He’s an award-winning motivational storyteller, bestselling author, and the creator of The Hero Effect®.
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