Positive Life Forces: Two Case Studies on Leadership

The Joe Burrow Story

On September 15, the LSU Tigers were in a tight battle against SEC West rival, Auburn.  LSU found themselves trailing 19-21 late in the fourth quarter.  Quarterback, Joe Burrow, orchestrated a beautiful drive which resulted in a game winning field goal as time expired; the final score, 22-21 LSU.

Hundreds of miles away, in Dallas, TX, the Ohio State Buckeyes were on the field warming up for their big matchup with the Horn Frogs of TCU.  On the Jumbotron scoreboard in AT&T stadium was the LSU and Auburn tussle.  The OSU players, staff and fans were seen celebrating as LSU came from behind for the win.  To be clear, this reaction wasn’t for LSU; instead, it was for their former teammate and friend, Joe Burrow.

After not winning the starting quarterback position in the spring of 2018, Burrow decided to transfer to LSU.  Transferring schools is never easy, especially in the competitive world of college football.  Amazingly, Burrow left on a high note.  Here were some of the tweets from OSU players when they found out Joe would be LSU’s starter:

“I’m smiling ear to ear RN (right now)”    – Mike Weber

“Yea…I see you Lil Joe.”    –  Jaylen Harris

“My Guy!”    – RaShod Berry

“I see you, bro!”    – Dwayne Haskins

The Hunter Pence Story

Hunter Pence is one of the most enjoyable players to watch in Major League baseball.  There is nothing pretty about his game.  His crude swing matches his rugged look.  He looks more like a mountain man than a baseball player.  I heard an interview with Pence this summer.  The reporter shared comments four rookies on his team, the San Francisco Giants, made about him as teammate and leader.

“Best teammate they’ve ever had.”

“You’ve always made them feel welcome.”

“Always had their back.”

“You’re the definition of a leader and the definition of a fighter.”

The hard-nosed Pence was fighting back tears as he listened.

Positive Life Forces

I don’t know Burrow or Pence, but they are positive life forces.  A positive life force is a person who positively impacts every situation they encounter.  Just walking in a room they make things better for those around them.  These folks are consistent in their effort and with their attitude.  Even in high-stakes and ultra-competitive situations they are kind and humble.

Positive life forces don’t have “bad days”.   As leaders, we should seek out these special individuals.  They are the people you want to go to battle with during the challenging times.  They’ll look adversity in the face and saddle up anyway.  Where they lack in skill or smarts they make up with toughness; not toughness necessarily in the physical sense (they likely have that too), instead it’s the toughness of maintaining high character every day.

Reflection

There will come a day when our careers are over or the time we have with an organization will conclude.  It’s important for us to reflect on how we want to be remembered.  Will people see us as being a good teammate?  A good colleague and friend?  Competent?  Will we be viewed as someone who was positive sometimes, but when things didn’t go our way, we were pouty and selfish?

Sports give us great examples to live by.  Both Joe Burrow and Hunter Pence have a lot to be proud of.  Sure, they are phenomenal athletes; they are the elite of the elite.  However, what I admire most is the kindness and integrity they display in challenging times.  Think about the way their teammates and former teammates pull for them.  You can’t fake that.  The only way to incite that type of reaction is to be a solid person day in and day out.

Make it a great week,

Mike

P.S. Who in your organization is a positive life force?  Have you showed your appreciation for that person recently?