Perry kept playing…

Perry kept playing. He kept working…

KU’s best basketball player, this season, is Perry Ellis. I had a great seat yesterday, six rows behind the Kansas bench. Early in the game KU was getting drilled 17-5 and all of the points had come from Perry. Coach Self called a timeout in utter frustration. Whom did he chew?

Perry.

From my vantage point I could read his angry lips. He looked Perry in the eye and told him he was terrible. I hadn’t seen what Perry had done on defense but Coach Self had. He didn’t like it. He jumped Kansas’ best player and put him on the bench. KU’s play didn’t pick up with Perry out of the lineup. We looked out of sorts and we’re still missing defensive assignments. After a couple moments sitting, Perry got back in the game. He changed the game almost in an instant. He didn’t get down after being sat. Perry kept playing, he kept working, and he played both ends of the floor with an intensity you rarely see. He led this team with his response to adversity. He set the tone and the team followed. Perry kept playing…

Every team needs players, producers, collectors, ambassadors, advisors, agents, engineers, developers, accountants, privates, SEAL’s, and any other number of front line performers to set the tone. When your team isn’t performing to its potential, be someone who takes the tough feedback, who gives tough feedback to a teammate, and who sets the tone with the one thing we can always control – our effort. I watched Perry sprint back on defense at one point in the second half and still not make it in time. He gave 100% effort and it hadn’t been enough in that moment. The opponent scored. It was his effort, however, that set the tone. He didn’t take the play off even though it looked like his best effort wouldn’t get there in time. He kept working. His teammates noticed – yours will too…

Perry kept playing. He kept working. He set the tone. Your team needs you to set the tone. Are you giving your best effort? Are you setting the tone? Are you taking tough feedback? Are you giving it when it’s needed? Are you creating positive energy with your effort? Are you demonstrating that you are someone your team can count on? Good..