Last Friday I gave the motivational speech at the OSU wrestling teams final home match of the year. I’ve seen/heard a number of these kinda 3-5 minute speeches over the course of my life. I didn’t follow the normal script, instead I gave the time to the team. Here’s what we did.
I began by asking the team how the Spartans went into battle back in the day. The team knew the story. The Spartans were very disciplined and went into battle with spear/sword in their right hand and shield in their left. Good. The team got it. I then asked them what the shield was for. “Protecting their team,” the grapplers pronounced almost in unison. Very cool. We’ve been practicing with the team for awhile and they are getting it, my little voice echoed in my head…
Next I asked the ten starters to huddle up in the middle of the Locker room and memorize the man to their left. Take a good look at him. Study him. Remind yourself of who he is. And, take a moment and think of an encouraging word to give him. The more you can speak from your heart the more his heart will hear it, I reminded them. I gave them a few seconds to get their thoughts together and then Bo started us out. He gave courage to this teammate on his left. He shielded him from his inner fear. All warriors, remember, are filled with fear. All producers are too. All ambassadors? Yup. All CEO’s? Yes, sir. All humans have all kinda fears. Fact. We all need to give and receive courage.
Today, at the end of practice 168 with kman’s krazies we practiced this same exercise. We gave courage to the teammate on our left. It felt good, great, energizing, and even a little bit weird (but I liked it) were what the krazies expressed after the exercise. All humans are meant to give and receive courage. Life is hard. Turns out the root of authentic happiness isn’t as much about our circumstances as it is about who we’re with and how we feel about being with them. Today, give and receive some courage. Taste some love with your teammates. Every team, remember, has an abundance of fear – the freakin’ magic ones have just a little more love. Good.
Give and take care, friend. Give and take care…
BUILT TO LEAD 
What did Bo say?
What was the melody line of the encouragement from the grapplers?
Was it different or the same for the krazies?
Tell me more my friend, tell me more.