A second thought gleaned from Warren Bennis' book, Geeks and Geezers, emphasizes the reactions we have to the trials and difficulties of life. Bennis shares, "One of the key differences between leaders and nonleaders we found is the ability of leaders to transmogrify even the negatives in their lives into something that serves them. For leaders the uses of adversity are genuinely sweet."
I love the story of Rudy.
Rudy grew up in a blue collar mill town where most people remained to raise their families, but he wanted to play football at Notre Dame. However Rudy faced some huge problems: his athletic skills were only average, his high school grades were poor, and he was about half the size of the other college players. But Rudy had the determination and the enthusiasm of a dozen people and he allowed the adversity facing him to drive him to fulfill his dream.
I love the story of Wilma Rudolf.
Wilma was the 20th child of a family of 22. She was born prematurely and weighed only 4.5 pounds. She was also born with polio leaving her crippled and unable to attend school. H
er mother educated her at home and faithfully transported her to a hospital for blacks 50 miles from their home twice a week. As a result of the polio, Wilma's legs require therapy at home 4 times a day. Wilma eventually attended school when she was seven, but was unable to walk normally until she was 12. Wilma fought through the physical difficulties, played basketball in high school and made the US Olympic team in track and field. I remember as a ten-year-old watching TV and cheering for her in the 1960 Summer Olympics Games in Rome. She became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games.
I love the story of the underdog who rises above the impossibilities to achieve the possible.
I love the story of Rudy.
Rudy grew up in a blue collar mill town where most people remained to raise their families, but he wanted to play football at Notre Dame. However Rudy faced some huge problems: his athletic skills were only average, his high school grades were poor, and he was about half the size of the other college players. But Rudy had the determination and the enthusiasm of a dozen people and he allowed the adversity facing him to drive him to fulfill his dream.
I love the story of Wilma Rudolf.
Wilma was the 20th child of a family of 22. She was born prematurely and weighed only 4.5 pounds. She was also born with polio leaving her crippled and unable to attend school. H
er mother educated her at home and faithfully transported her to a hospital for blacks 50 miles from their home twice a week. As a result of the polio, Wilma's legs require therapy at home 4 times a day. Wilma eventually attended school when she was seven, but was unable to walk normally until she was 12. Wilma fought through the physical difficulties, played basketball in high school and made the US Olympic team in track and field. I remember as a ten-year-old watching TV and cheering for her in the 1960 Summer Olympics Games in Rome. She became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games.I love the story of the underdog who rises above the impossibilities to achieve the possible.
Like, Hoosiers, a 1986 film about a rural Indiana high school basketball team that wins the state championship. The story is set during the 1950s, when all high schools in Indiana, regardless of size, competed in one state championship tournament. It is very loosely based on the story of a real Indiana team from Milan High School that won the 1954 state championship. Or Joseph, the 11th of 12 brothers who found himself sold into slavery by his siblings and locked in the cell of imprisonment by his master. Faithful to his convictions and his trust in God, Jacob not only regain his freedom, rose to a position of great political power, but also saved his family (including his 11 brothers) from a nation-wide famine. Rising above his circumstances gave Joseph the opportunity to serve his God, impact a nation, and be reconciled to his family (Genesis 37-47).
There is a difference between challenge and adversity; a fast ball down the middle and a curve ball out of left field; a confrontation and a triple A problem. The ability to translate a trial filled with tension and anxiety into an opportunity fro growth, positive development and improvement is a mark of a transformational leadership. Resilience, determination, and faith must be combined into a realistic optimism that drives the leader to strategic planning in the midst of the storm; to collaborative truthfulness when the weight begins to crush one's spirit; and to transparent communication in order to share the vision, the threat, and the solution.
Photo of Wilma Rudolph found at http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/54/84654-004-E93741F1.jpg
Bennis, W.G. & Thomas, R.J. (2002) Geeks & geezers: How era, values, and defining moments shape leaders. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
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