The Law of Victory says that “Leaders find a way for the team to win.” I just spent four incredible days with my team, The John Maxwell Team. Four days of adding value to each other and showing appreciation throughout. I could go on and on about the victories we experienced this weekend but I want to go a little different direction.
I believe that we are all here for a greater reason than we understand. My teammates will continue to win every day but our real purpose is to create victories beyond our group that now numbers close to two thousand across the globe.
Flying home from the event today I saw several men and women in uniform. I try and take every opportunity to thank those men and women that serve our country and today was no different. I shook many hands today and provided a simple “thank you” for their service.
In one case, just before boarding in Atlanta, I shook the hand of the young man pictured in this photo. Then something happened that I never really noticed before, at least not at the level of awareness that I understood today. Right after I shook his hand a woman came up to him and in more of a motherly way grabbed his arm to say her thank you. I did not hear exactly what she said but I really didn’t need to. The smile on her face and the smile on his provided all the “victory” that was needed.
Every minute of every day there are stories of victory all around us, yet we fly through life passing most of them by. One victory I have taken away from this is that when your level of awareness is such that you start watching for the stories instead of seeing how fast you can read the book, the content suddenly becomes much more meaningful.
I think the next time I reach out to shake the hand of one of our soldiers, I will ask what their story is instead of just reading the back cover with a simple thank you. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a handshake and a thank you but why not invest a little more time to hear about the victory.
Grantland Rice, the great sportswriter once said,
“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
I think leadership is a lot like that. Leaders need to produce results but the real victory will be achieved by how you play the game. Things like honor, integrity and valor are how you play the game. I did not ask the soldier in this picture his name but I know how he plays the game.
Challenge yourself to recognize the victories that are around you in your walk of life and more importantly acknowledge them. I felt a sense of victory in just saying thanks as I am sure the woman in the picture did as well. I know the soldier sensed victory because someone took the time to say thanks.
Where will you find your Victory today?
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 8/22/12 photo by author
