Monday, April 12, 2010

What you gain through losing

Hello Fellow leader, 

The sound track to today post is a little somber, and the accompanying musical selection is 'I'd do it all again' by Corinne Bailey Rae on her album The Sea. 

This post is hard to write because it painful to think about, but all of you out there I will make the effort. I am a member and officer of a business club called SIFE at my university. It is a national organization devoted to the building the business skills of students, as well as encouraging community service and professionalism in students. I have been a devoted member of this global organization for about two years and an next in line or vice presidency during the next academic year. Every year there are competitions around the world between SIFE teams in a format similar to the olympics.

This year our team practiced 10+ hours for 3 months and 14+ hours for the first part of april in preparation for regional competition in Atlanta, GA. We were confident, and prepared, and excited. Everyone we practiced for told us we were doing great and were sure to place, and we had no doubts in our mind that we would come home victorious. We spent 2 days in a hotel for 26 min of glory on stage, with the ultimate goal of winning  and being advanced to nationals.


Long (sobbing) story short... we lost. Hence, this post. 

Our team received very last place in our league and were not advanced. After all that hard work, it is safe to say our entire team was disappointed, but more than anything I think we were a little angry. We had lost the year before and had come back improved and still lost...
But lets think for a moment, what did our team gain from losing?

We gained humility. A healthy dose of humility is healthy for all future leaders, for through it we are brought to a clearer reality and a better place to lead through service. In the words of Lt. General Hal Moore of  the American Veteran organization "Humility is the portion of a person who receives fame or accolade, based on the blood of his subordinates and the sacrifices of his friends, and so shall it is and so shall it b for me" View him giving the speech here.

I would do it all again. 

Successful leaders take good care

Hello Future leader, 

Is sorry that my post was late, but I will make up for it by keeping it short sweet and to the point. The sound track to todays post is five star chick  (clean) by yo gotti.  

Future leaders take care of themselves. Much like the rest of the post I have done up to  this point, this is sorta obvious. Still, it begs to be brought to attention. Generally I work hard and I play hard. I don't like to spend too much time priming and getting all jazzed, but I have to admit that I do look in the mirror once... twice... three times just to be sure I'm getting the right message across. When you feel good on the outside you generally feel good on the inside. So take the time to do regular maintenance while your out saving the world. Im def. gearing this to the ladies, let's be the triple threat. "Walk, like you talk, like you know the ish lol" 

If you take the time to view my video I'm sure you will enjoy...