MJ ON LEADING BY EXAMPLE

It comes down to a very simple saying: There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.

If you don’t back it up with performance and hard work, talking doesn’t mean a thing.

I’ve always tried to lead by example. That is just my personality. I never led vocally. I never really tried to motivate by talking because I don’t think words ever mean as much action.

They always say a picture carries a thousand words. So I tried to paint a picture of hard work and discipline.

But a leader has to earn that title. You aren’t the leader just because you’re the best player on the team, the smartest person in the class, or the most popular. No one can give you that title either. You have to gain the respect of those around you by your actions. You have to be consistent in your approach whether it’s basketball practice, a sales meeting, or dealing with your family.

A leader can’t make any excuses. there has to be quality in everything you do. Off the court, on the court, in the classroom, on the playground, inside the meeting room, outside of work. You have to transfer those skills, that drive, to whatever environment you’re in.

And you have to be willing to sacrifice certain individual goals, if necessary, for the good of the team.

From "I Can't Accept Not Trying" by Michael Jordan

WORDS OF WISDOM

The following comes from author and motivational speaker Don Yaeger:

LOVED THIS! So as we were wrapping up the National Player of The Year presentation to Anthony Davis, a father and son approached Davis's parents and the father asked Mr. Davis if he could offer any advice that might help his 11 year old become as special as Anthony. Mr. Davis said: "Listen to you father...and appreciate that he's part of your life. Not enough young men like you have that. Let that give you an advantage." As they walked away, the father had a tear in his eye. Nothing better than those unscripted moments.


Wised words indeed!!!

WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT ATTITUDE?

So, what’s so important about attitude? Having a great attitude or the right attitude means understanding the big picture, realizing and having a special sense about winning and losing games and playing games and how you act and how hard you work and how you relate with teammates and how you respond to the coach and how you react to negative events. It’s all there.

From "Think Like a Champion" by Dick Devenzio

NOTHING GREATER

“There’s nothing greater in the world than when somebody on the team does something good and everybody gathers around to pat him on the back.”

–Billy Martin

THE POWER OF COMING TOGETHER

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can co when they stick together.”

-Vesta M. Kelly

#determination

I absolutely loved this quote by Mo Ishom, the LSU female soccer player who tried out as a kicker for the Tigers' football team.  She ended up not making the final cut (http://bit.ly/zdQpoP) but with her attitude great things await her.  Here is what she tweeted after being cut:

"I would rather devote 150% of my heart, energy & focus to a goal, & ulimately [sic] fail, then [sic] to quit early or never try. #determination."

SUCCESS (AND FAILURE) IS NOT AN ACCIDENT

Success is not an accident.  Sadly, failure is not an accident either.  You succeed when you do what other successful people do, over and over, until these behaviors become a habit.  Likewise, you fail if you don't do what successful people do.  In either case, nature is neutral.  Nature does not take sides.  Nature doesn't care.  What happens to you is simply a matter of law -- the law of cause and effect.

When you are not working deliberately, consciously, and continuously to do, be and have those things that constitute success for you, your default mechanism is at work.

From "No Excuses" by Brian Tracy

NICK SABAN: TO BE A GOOD PLAYER

"To be a good player on your team, you have to affect someone else on the team. You have to cause them to play better by the way you play. You affect other players with the character and attitude. To be a great player, you have to affect your entire unit. If you are a great player, every player on that unit plays better when you are on the field. The number one thing on any team that will keep your players from being selfish is respect for the other players. Having respect leads to trust and from that they begin to believe in each other. That is the way it works and that is the way it has to be."

-Nick Saban

DERRICK ROSE: WHY NOT BE THE BEST?!