Be aware of how you look to others...

Football is back. In all its glory and hyperbole. If we didn’t know better, you’d think it was more than a game. 

 

·      Tail-gate parties.

·      Thousands of fans.

·      Expensive tickets and food,

·      And every player thinks he’s a star.

·      But, at the end of the day, it’s still just a game.

 

I read that an up-and-coming quarterback rejected a contract offer for more than $240M because it wasn’t guaranteed. That’s just the latest example of hubris by players who strut around like what they do matters on and off the field. Sure, they’re gifted, and that can lead to their team winning, but it’s just a game. One that earns them, their teams, and everyone associated with it a lot of money. And while the economics supports that amount of money, people, successful or otherwise, should remember to show class, have pride, and display character while earning it. With that, winning, on and off the field, takes care of itself. Imagine if your employees ran around showboating when they did something right (or nearly right). On or off the field that’s just unseemly behavior. As leaders, we should catch people doing things right in the most appropriate way. That’s what will promote class, pride, and character today.

 

Paul "Bear" Bryant (1913 – 1983): American college football player and coach.