Jun
There are many quotes that in essence say “Nothing great has ever been accomplished alone.” Who said which variation of this quote is irrelevant. If you’ve ever built anything that grew beyond your own selfish pleasure and gain, you know this to be true. This fact can be especially hard for an introvert to process. Introverts by design, tend to want to work alone, isolated from the suffering that is collaborating and communicating.
Introverts tend to have so many thoughts and ideas about everything, that sharing and conforming with the thoughts of others is often a daunting labor of hell.
Any student of history knows the tales of Leonardo DaVinci, Nicola Tesla, and Charles Goodyear.
DaVinci, a bastard child, is considered one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, yet during his career, he was troubled with legal battles over unfinished, commissioned works. Tesla, a formidable genius, was no match for the entrepreneurial power and prowess of Thomas Edison and J.P. Morgan. Goodyear is quoted to have said “The history of invention proves that whoever attempts by inventions to improve the conditions of others, usually impairs his own, except so far as he may add to his happiness from the satisfaction of having done good to others.”
Could that be said of volunteer coaching as well?
Goodyear died penniless having been jailed during his career for bad debt and business handlings. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an assumed creation by the inventor, but was actually an honorary name by a founder 38 years after Goodyear’s death.
[adrotate banner=”3″]These are just a few of the cautionary tales of loners who, while brilliant, could not turn their energies, passions, and creative works into anything of commercial and financial gain.
Or course, Goodyear was correct; not every gain from great work can be monetized, say the value of community service and leadership. However, the same principles apply. To grow and expand is to multiply and even in the 21st century—the digital age—loners still fail quietly.
Together is better.
The single hardest thing then, in any day and age, is to find your tribe. Finding your tribe is about finding like-minded individuals and groups that share values, share passion, and share the commitment to sacrifice to achieve a common goal. And ultimately then, to share the spoils and rewards of those sacrifices at a future date.
When you do find your tribe, two things will happen. One is you will enjoy the validation that being around like-minded warriors brings. Validation brings neurotransmitter releases of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and more. Those feel-good brain chemicals help us to feel bonded and frankly, give us the security to take chances and to grow unimaginably.
But…togetherness brings the second function as well, frustration from collaborating, listening, and even—[gasp]—compromise.
Compromise, just like any great endeavor, takes time. It takes time to vet the experiences of those involved and to separate bad experiences and causes from the good experiences and causes.
Compromise is tough for introverts and visionaries who are consumed with ideas and rationalize problem-solving to the nth degree. Compromise is challenging for those not in charge but who are going along for the ride and need to trust in the experience of leadership.
What is leadership then?
Leading then is about managing that time, recognizing when and where there is time to communicate more and maniacally balancing that against the high demands, shortening windows of opportunities, and expediency or even urgency of each and every opportunity.
Each new sporting season offers an opportunity for reflection, to explore other opportunities, and to compromise. It’s important to take that time at the end of each season before setting sail once again.
The middle of a season, for better or for worse, is the time to trust, to lean in to help, and to ride out the ups and downs with grace, maturity, and discipline.
This process can create chaos and lead to turmoil—even mutiny—if allowed to roam unguided and unchecked. Leaders then need to keep their ears and minds open to course-correct or at least, to restate the vision and the obstacles. Often times, leaders have quite a bit more data that would overhwhelm those following. Yet, those following do not want to follow blindly. Again, leaders and follower need to lean towards balance.
That alone is enough for most visionaries, entrepreneurs, and curators of change to say “To hell with that!” and drift off alone. Some of those loners will be remembered still, because other leaders will come behind them, pick up the pieces and prevail in the communal execution, giving credit or at least homage to the lone wolf.
Most however will be lost to history and become dust in the wind. But, to conjure up another Kansas musical hit, what we need to do is stick together and hold on, because while the group method is riddled with roadblocks and setbacks, you are “closer than you think”, “standing on the brink” of making a real, lasting impact.
We call it legacy. Only those that hold on and endure will ever claim a legacy. Visionary loners beware.
Coach Dave
