Back to School Lesson: What We Can Learn From JR Smith

I’ve been following a story that makes me smile.  Two-time NBA champion, JR Smith, has enrolled at North Carolina A&T to pursue a degree.  Not only is the NBA veteran taking classes, he also has been cleared by the NCAA to be on the men’s golf team.  Smith has been active on Twitter sharing his experience. 

Why has this story been so heartwarming?  After reflection, here are three reasons why I’ve enjoyed following.

1. Courage and Vulnerability: Smith has made a lot of money playing basketball.  He has connections.  He’s famous.  He doesn’t need a degree to provide for his family.  He freely admits he wasn’t a great student in high school.  In addition, he’s playing a collegiate sport in which he only began playing as an adult. 

It would be so much easier for him to stay in his comfort zone; instead, he chose to stretch himself.  It’s amazing how adults will ask their kids to do uncomfortable things; however, those same adults haven’t challenged themselves in years. 

Smith is modeling risk taking. Something we all need to do, not just kids.    

2. Providing Inspiration: In one of his tweets Smith writes he wants to make, “an impact on our community and culture to pursue our education more so we can help the next generation after us.”

Sure, Smith is pursuing this opportunity for his own growth.  I believe the bigger reason, however, is he wants to model the importance of education for his community. 

The more I study leadership the more I realize actions and behaviors matter way more than talking and advice giving.  Once again, parents ask their kids to work hard and push themselves.  Instead of making requests, the more effective way for parents to change their kids’ behavior is to do uncomfortable things themselves.   

3. Mudita: Mudita can be defined as, vicarious joy; being happy for another’s success as if it is your own.  Reading others genuine happiness and excitement for Smith has been heartwarming.  Lebron James, Steph Curry, and David Banner have all sent him messages of encouragement and admiration. 

I think we can all be better encouragers to our friends and loved ones.  When someone is pursuing a challenging, maybe even unconventional endeavor, it’s easy to be the skeptic.  What stops us from being a source of strength instead? 

Conclusion:

Over my six years of publishing this newsletter, I’ve been humbled by the response of the readers.  One common response, however, makes me pause.  Frequently, someone will write back or stop me and say something like, “this is great stuff.  I wish my kids would read it.” 

When I receive these comments it reminds me of how easy it is to give advice and how hard it is to make behavior changes ourselves.  It’s easy to tell our kids or people we lead what to do.  It’s much tougher to roll up our sleeves and get dirty. 

That’s what I love about J.R. Smith’s story.  He could have used his platform to shout about the importance of leaving your comfort zone.  Instead, he enrolled in school at 35 years old and earned a spot on the golf team.  Giving money to education would have been easier than attending class and pursuing his degree.  He chose the tough route of modeling instead.   

I’d like to nudge you to join me in doing two things this week:

1. Be an encourager for someone.  Instead of being a critic, support someone’s journey.  You get bonus points if you are vulnerable and share how you admire what they are doing. 
2. Take a personal risk.  Remember, people are watching more than they are listening.  If getting uncomfortable is so important, prove it. 

Mike

P.S. If you get some down time, here’s a link to Smith’s Twitter feed.