Compete and Connect: Character in Leadership

I was at my son’s middle school Cross Country City Finals this week. It has been a great season, particularly with the chance to watch the character of the kids on these teams, and the last meet did not disappoint. Our future is in good hands, as you will see, as these kids prepare to take the lead.

Over the past few months I have seen kids fall and get back up, watched parents cheer for kids from every school, not just their kid’s team, and seen kids who finished their run come back onto the course to cheer on their teammates to help them finish strong.

Even as these kids cheered each other on, they continued to compete with each other: wanting to get a better time, working a little harder, pushing to end up in the top 5 this time.

Here are some things I noticed:

v  When they acted collectively, they won.

The team that ended up in first place, the Woodrow Wilson girls, ran mostly as a pack. By working together and being a team, they ended up with the best time, because they acted collectively. Their runners did not place 1st, 2nd and 3rd to earn the winning time. They all ran well. Together. It was the pack of them running together that won the day.

v  They helped each other.

Midway through the season one of boys fell early on in the race. By the end he was limping on that twisted ankle, grimacing in pain as he went. One by one his teammates joined him, the boys and the girls coming alongside him to encourage him to make the last lap. By the time he crossed the finish line, the whole team was with him. A sweet memory.

v  Their character won the race.

The Finals ended with the high point of the season: the finish of the Middle School Boys race. The top two finishers had been pacing each other all season: one taking the lead spot, then the other. This time, at the City Finals, they ran the last of the race together. Somewhere along the line during their run these boys from two opposing teams decided to do something different. As the last stretch of the race came into view, instead of sprinting to the finish trying to best each other as they had all season, these two took hands, and with arms raised, crossed the line together. A tie.

Middle school is not the easiest time in life, as I am sure you remember. It is awkward and embarrassing, playful and exciting, freeing and frightening.

But these kids reminded me of a critical leadership lesson:

               How you play the game is MORE important than whether you win the race or not.

These kids raced with compassion, with encouragement and, best of all, together.

As you look out at your team of adults, how are you running your race?

Are you creating a culture where people compete and connect? A culture where character wins the race?

What change in timing and temperament do you need to make to bring the best out on your team?

Stop and notice what is happening on your team, and catch the inspiring moments along the way so that your team understands and celebrates that Character Counts. Don’t ever forget that the right choice is often also the Winning Move to keeping your team aligned and engaged. Our people are always watching what we do and what we allow as we lead. They are also watching their peers, to see what they will do to support or undermine them.

When people work for a common purpose and treat others well along the way, it ensures that, when you win the race, you haven’t lost your character along the way.