One of the things that is...discouraging (for lack of a better word)...is the complete focus on the person in charge, the person at the top. This could be within a movement (Dr. M.L. King), within volleyball (Russ Rose, Karch Kiraly), or within your place of employment--you can name your club director, the principal, your supervisor. You probably even thought of them while reading this.
But--is it really about the person at the top?
Within the Civil Rights Movement, you had more than King, more than Abernathy or Medgar Evers. You've got Jo-Anne Martin and Johnnie Mae Chappell, Owen Cardwell and Lola Hendricks. You had thousands upon thousands of individuals who have been forgotten over time, each playing a crucial role in that movement. Without those thousands--what good would M.L. King's speeches have been?
I think that's important with coaching, too. Can you name the day and night janitorial staff where you work? If you're coaching Club 18-1s, do you know who the assistant is for the 13-4's team?
Not just the staff, either. Do you know the names of all the kids in your program? Do you know everyone on the freshman and sophomore teams? Are you familiar with the 8th graders getting ready for summer who will be part of your HS program in just a couple month?
We all believe what we are doing is important, maybe more important than what anyone else is doing. You're coaching--that'd still go on without that AD demanding you do paperwork, right? The principal that stands at the door/gate before a game? She's not scoring any points. The thing is--you aren't that important. If you get blinked out, the game will still go on. You don't NEED a coach to play. The reality is--when you are helping kids, a whole lot of people are important rather than just the ones who get media coverage.
Think of it a different way. If you pick up a buck, that's not much money. But if we all pick one up, suddenly we've got thousands of dollars--we've got a good thing going. Together we achieve greatness--we are greater than the value of our individual parts.
Remember your custodian. Say hi to the police officer who may be responsible for security at your event. Put a nice word in with your principal (administering a school is tough and thankless).
I guess the point is--greatness is shared. Don't make it about yourself. If you shine the spotlight on those around you, there will be enough ambient light radiating on you for you to be happy as well (if that's what motivates you).
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