Today, during practice 51 with a team that has grown to twelve, we went back to page 19 in the 12 playbook. This is light blue page with very little text to catch the eye. There is only one quote from a dead Frenchie on the entire page. It’s a powerful one. In fact, it’s one of my dear friend Larry Allen’s favorites.
“I give you the gift of these four words – I believe in you.”
Blaise Pascal
Today, we invested nearly 90 minutes deepening our understanding of why this quote is here, why it matters, what it means to each of us, and how we can both let it in and pass it on. And, once we had some kinda clarity ’round here, we turned the page and saw an example. I told a story about a band from Ireland, the 2001 NBA finals, CBS network, and what this gift looks like when it’s put to the test.
Today, everybody took the court. Everybody played. Actually, everybody practiced. Trust was built a bit deeper. Belief was given and earned. And, Jeremy and Jimmy reminded us of the “and.” Belief is given and earned, isn’t it. Sometimes we give the gift, sometimes we don’t.
Leaders are believers. The best believe, first. And, they give the gift to their team and they make them earn it. They challenge from belief more than from frustration. They play with both sides of the “and.” Leaders, overtime and through adversity, develop the wisdom that leads to the right mix of ‘given and earned.’ They live in the tension, so to speak.
Today, during practice 51, a whole bunch of leaders got more comfortable in the tension, together. I believe in this team. Today, a few of them took the gift to heart…
BUILT TO LEAD 