A Team, and a Player

For those of us who watched the World Series last week, we saw a great demonstration of how one player, Madison Bumgarner, carried his team to victory and a World Championship.  Giant manager Bruce Bochy said it well when he stated that he “rode his horse” to victory in Game 7.  Bumgarner also inspired his fellow teammates, who marveled at his considerable feat, which may never be matched in this modern era of baseball.

What Bumgarner did for his team reminded me of what one person can do for a company, a business, a committee, a department, or any gathering of people who look to achieve something significant.  Bumgarner displayed greatness in his pitching, winning three of the four games necessary to take home the World Series trophy.  But the way he did it, with uncommon modesty and humility, is a lesson in leadership we should all try to follow.

Bumgarner didn’t shy away from what the reporters said about his performance, but neither did he take credit for what he did.  Rather, he acknowledged his role, and just said that he did what he was called on to do from his coach, and for his team.  In my experience, Bumgarner’s attitude and outlook are sorely missing in professional athletics today, especially for someone of such considerable talent, and they can also be lacking in business.

When leaders display this kind of humility and gratefulness, it becomes infectious.  It’s what one player, one employee, one person, or one leader, can do for an entire team.  Look for that leader among your staff, your volunteers, or any group you’re a part of.  And acknowledge their contribution as a key player on a great team.

 
Humility in Leadership

Humility is not thinking less of ourselves than others.  It’s not about putting ourselves down.  Humility is placing the needs of others before our own.  It’s our willingness to let others win.  It isn’t easy, and it doesn’t come naturally for most of us.

Humility actually flows out of strength and confidence, not a low self-image as some might think.  Humble people are really the ones who have an accurate view of themselves, a quiet confidence that flows out of their respect and care for others.  It’s what allows leaders to be quick to give credit to others, but without showing false humility.  True humility is spontaneous and unconscious.

Humble leaders tend to lose track of themselves by placing their focus on others and on the organization they lead.  Simply stated, they aren’t preoccupied with themselves because they don’t have to put themselves first to feel self-worth.

The most effective leaders I know exude humility, yet are driven to succeed for the firm or organization they lead.  This creates a sense of both excitement and trust with those who follow.  For what good leaders do is not some mindless game of barking orders and throwing tantrums.  Their leadership is thoughtful, professional, and inspiring because it comes from a place deep within.

So don’t be misled about humility, or its power to win the confidence and respect of both peers and followers.  It’s one of the great virtues of effective leadership.

 
Here are a few Business & Life Tips to think about…..

Business Tips:

• Want your staff motivated? Then stay open-minded, respect their opinions, and do what you say you’re going to do.
• The size and stature of your business is limited only by the way you think. Don’t limit your potential. Think BIG!
• To innovate, start with your customers. Work from there to stock the right merchandise and offer the services they want.

Life Tips:

• Significance in life is the result of a higher form of thinking and action that takes success to a more meaningful level.
• It’s best to look yourself squarely in the mirror than to dismiss your shortcomings as someone else’s problem.
• An irony of life is that loneliness disappears as we give more and more of ourselves to others instead of focusing on us.

Tags: Advice, Business Tips, Determination, Developing Leaders, Dreams, Drive, Friends, Humility, Integrity, Knowledge, Leadership Excellence, Leadership Skills, Life Tips, Personal Development, Philosophy, Project Leaders, Relationships, Reputation, Success, Team, The Mind of a Leader