One of the challenges we all face in this hyper-competitive society is to WIN and WIN again! The pressure of winning intensifies as you move up the chain. It doesn’t matter whether you are a player, a captain of your team, a head coach, or even a corporate leader. The real character of an individual is known by not how many times one has done the victory laps but by how one has won the game. Right from our childhood, these sporting events teach us how we develop a strong character, be more resilient, be a team player, and build the spirit of competitiveness in a high octane environment. Sports play a critical role in teaching specific attributes in our lives that differentiate us from the rest of the pack, like camaraderie and perseverance.
Close to home (in the corporate world), we always seek to develop leaders with high Integrity and ethical behavior, but in reality, it may not be that easy a task! Integrity is the choice between what’s convenient and what’s right. We got to talk openly and often about the importance of ‘Integrity’ and ‘Trust’ with our team members and do not follow what they call in sports: ‘the code of silence’- act of remaining silent about what happens in the dressing room! The POWER of Integrity comes from trust rather than FEAR. To sustain a nimble organization, Integrity is the most crucial part of the equation!
And remember, truth is the victim when we value the illusion of success and compromise the principles of Integrity. You are part of something bigger than what you are. The hallmark of a leader is that there should be no exceptions to Honesty and Integrity. You got to be the role model, Integrity driven leaders always focus on what’s real. Integrity is a state of mind and is not situational. We all need to learn about having the desire to win and win the RIGHT WAY like a competitive athlete!