The Courage To Lead
The past week, like so many weeks previous, was one filled with much news on many fronts. Also this week, Tuesday was the autumnal equinox, a passing from one season to another. The heat and humidity of summer activity begins to give way to cooler temperatures and a gradual slowing as we approach the end of the year. And what a year it has been.
With the passing of one season to the next, there is an opportunity to take a step back from your hectic lives and reflect. I use these times to reflect on the year so far and contemplate what may be in store for the remainder of the year.
I for one am ready for a new year and a new and safer narrative. Time will tell if that materializes. Let's hope so.
At the beginning of the week, we learned of the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, #RBG. She broke yet another milestone as the first woman and first Jewish person to lie in state at our nation's capital.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an amazing powerhouse of justice. A brilliant lawyer and arbiter of American jurisprudence, She was a leader in gender equality, and equality for all. Seen as generally a moderate, she was known to be a consensus builder. She served our country brilliantly and admirably and with clear-headed notion of equality.
RBG On leadership -
Speaking to women at a luncheon at Harvard University in 2015 Justice Ginsburg was asked what advice she would give young women today. RBG responded, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."
Brian's Song -
Also this week, legendary NFL running back Gale Sayers', whose NFL career was cut way too short, passed away. Despite his short career spanning over a 7-year period beginning in 1965, he was named last year as one of the NFL's greatest 100 players. He was an All-American running back from Kansas and the No. 4 draft pick in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.
I first learned of Sayers and a glimpse into the man and his character in the famous made-for-tv movie, "Brian's Song". That movie starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan had a profound effect on me personally. It left an indelible impression.
As sports movies go, this one was much more than just about football. The late 60's and early 70's was a time of civil unrest over the Vietnam War and injustice felt by the Black community.
Two NFL rookies arrived at the Chicago Bears training camp and were thrust together by circumstance. Gale Sayers, the star halfback from Kansas, a black man, and Brian Piccolo, running back from Wake Forest University (not drafted), a white man, were assigned to be roommates. Unheard of in our society and in sports.
They both competed for the same position. Both made the team. Sayers, the amazingly gifted running back was the starter. Piccolo played a supporting role on the team. Two men from two completely different backgrounds and of differently color bonded and became friends amidst the social unrest during that time.
Sayers later suffered a severe knee injury, and Piccolo helped him train and prepare for a return and in 1970. Upon returning Gale Sayers was the leading rusher in the NFL.
Sayers was later honored by the NFL. In accepting the NFL's Most Courageous Player award, Gale Sayers paid tribute to his friend, Brian, and gave a moving speech that evening. You see, his friend Brian Piccolo was dying from cancer.
I heard his speech the other morning as portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in "Brian's Song". It really touched me. Gale Sayers spoke of his friend and his courage in facing his disease. An excerpt from the speech:
“I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees to pray, please ask God to love him, too.”
What do Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo have in common? Why write about them in the same article?
Each exemplify courage. Courage to stand for what they believed in. Courage to express love for another human being despite what others might think. Even the courage to face death humbly.
Of all the human emotions, courage is the tipping point that moves you outside of your comfort zone into your zone of greatness. The courage to be vulnerable, the courage to lead from the heart, the courage to say enough is enough.
That courage is what will make you the leader others want to follow. Courage will help you live the life you were meant to live - authentically, openly, honestly.
Until next time.