Find a Way to Win
Leadership Thought of the Day
I learned something new today and in a somewhat different venue, inside the boxing ring at Title Boxing. Anybody who watched or studied the boxing techniques of Mohammad Ali will remember his “rope a dope” tactic that he used in the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” match against George Foreman. The “rope a dope” was a defensive maneuver the champion used to simultaneously tire his opponent out, while letting the ropes help absorb the energy of the thunderous blows to the body. Once Foreman tired from his slugfest, Mohammad took control and eventually won the match. This morning however, I learned from my trainer Greg that the technique can actually be used as an offense strategy. One can lean back into the ropes of the boxing ring and use the spring of the rope to actually help position you to throw effective combinations without having to rely on agile foot work.
The lesson came when another boxer appeared a little sluggish in his otherwise fleet footwork. At one point Greg actually said that he looked like he was in quick sand. It was here that I learned not only the rope a dope lesson in the ring, but an important leadership lesson also. Greg understood that as a trainer and coach that not all his athletes will be able to come in at 100% every day. Everybody has down days and times when they have their feet “in quick sand”. His lesson was poignant, when things aren’t working to plan, you need to “find a way to win”, hence the quick lesson in how the use the ropes to your advantage. That was Greg’s boxing lesson. His leadership message was even more powerful. He went on to explain that, “you cannot expect 100% from everybody, all the time. That is not realistic or how life works. It is a leader’s job to get 100% out of what they brought in that day.”
His message rang true as I thought more about it after the work out. Everybody has their ups and downs as they go through the biorhythms and vicissitudes of life. Leaders learn to gauge where their people are, and to meet them where they are at. They can then assist their charges to “find the way to win” and to get 100% out of what they can achieve. A good reminder of the relational aspect of leadership and the need to be able to look into your team members eyes and gauge where you can serve them best.
Oh yeah, Greg also taught me another good lesson. After throwing a combination one needs to bob and weave in the direction of your last punch, or he will smack you a good one in the head!
Stay Strong,
Terry
