The Winning Combination: Real, Authentic, Fun, & Loving What We Do
Last night, one of the commentators before the Los Angeles Chargers – Cincinnati Bengals game (Chargers won 34-27) made the comment referring to Charger’s Head Coach Jim Harbaugh that, “He’s real, he’s authentic.” He went on to say, “What you see is what you get.” Finally, one of his players in an interview said, “I’ve never seen anyone who loves football as much as Coach Harbaugh does.” His point was they were always having fun because Coach Harbaugh was having fun. All this was clearly a pretty good combination for great leadership.
The phrases “He’s real, he’s authentic” and “What you see is what you get” highlight several key traits that are often associated with effective leadership:
- Authenticity: Leaders who are genuine and transparent foster trust among their team members. When leaders are true to themselves, they create an environment where others feel safe to be themselves, leading to better collaboration and morale.
- Consistency: Being authentic means that a leader’s actions align with their words. This consistency helps establish credibility, as team members can rely on them to act in accordance with their stated values and principles.
- Connection: Authentic leaders are relatable and accessible, making it easier for followers to connect with them on a personal level. This connection can inspire loyalty and motivate teams to work towards shared goals.
- Openness to Feedback: Authentic leaders are approachable and encourage open communication. This openness allows for constructive feedback, which can lead to personal and organizational growth.
- Inspiration: A leader who embodies authenticity can inspire others by demonstrating confidence and integrity. Their realness can motivate team members to strive for their best and align their personal values with the organization’s mission.
Bottom line: Jim Harbaugh’s authenticity and straightforwardness contribute significantly to his leadership effectiveness by building trust, fostering connection, and inspiring his team to achieve their goals. Harbaugh’s enthusiasm for the game creates a positive atmosphere that keeps players engaged and motivated. When a leader is genuinely passionate, it can be contagious, inspiring athletes to give their best effort.
A leader, just as a coach who enjoys the game, fosters a sense of camaraderie among players and those they serve. When others see their coach or leader having fun, it encourages team bonding and helps build strong relationships, which can enhance teamwork on and off the field or in the organization.
We can learn from Coach Harbaugh that by creating an environment where fun is a priority, a culture that values hard work while also encouraging players to enjoy the process is cultivated. This balance, along with being authentic, can lead to higher performance levels and reduced pressure.
Being Childlike
The other day during a Zoom meeting I said that I thought that I had matured a little over the last year. Then, one of the participants said, “Well, just don’t quit being childlike.” I thought about that and actually wrote it on my notepad. Now, as I come back to that note I guess I look at being childlike having all to do with growth, curiosity, and feeling free enough as individuals to be ourselves without unduly formed restrictions. Those things really have nothing to do with maturity and all to do the positive qualities related to children. Things like innocence, trusting, unguarded, or being vulnerable like a child. It also means taking off the many masks of propriety imposed within our society that limit our creativity and sense of exploration. I do allow myself to play, and to be silly.
I probably wouldn’t have written a blog post about this, but when reading yesterday in Mo Rocca’s awesome book, Mobituaries, yesterday he wrote that someone had described Sammy Davis Jr. as being childlike, not childish. This made me think more about the difference. Sammy certainly was fun, relaxed, spontaneous, creative, adventurous, and silly. At the same time that he was entertaining us he was doing a lot of great things in the world. Certainly not childish behavior. Childlike, yes; childish, no.
Therefore, being childlike has everything to do with growing, being curious, and being ourselves without those unduly formed restrictions that society wants to place on us. I sure hope I don’t grow out of being childlike!
Is It Fun Being You?
I didn’t really set out to do a blog series on thoughts following Boston Legal episodes, but it seems I am doing that because this will be my third such post. I’m telling you, those end of episode scenes of Denny Crane and Alan Shore sitting on the balcony discussing their lives, politics, cases, and their day are riveting and very thought provoking. My other two posts are: Are We Best Friends?; and Do You Have An Inexhaustible Ability To Just Live? The scene I am blogging about here was at the end of Episode 7 in Season 2.
Denny Crane says, “It’s fun being me. Is it fun being you?” Alan replies, “Most of the time actually.” To this, Denny reacts, “Then what else is there?” With a nod, Alan says, “Indeed.” I had never really contemplated the question of whether it was fun to be me before. My answer is, yes!And, indeed, there really isn’t anything else.
“Be who you are and say what you feel BECAUSE those who mind don’t matter and those who matter DON’T MIND!” ~ Dr. Seuss
It really comes down to being who you are. I came across the cool sweatshirt pictured below with the saying Such Fun Being Me on it. The Miranda Shop is selling the sweatshirts and I love their description of the sweatshirt: “This is one of my most loved of the new products. It gives me no greater pleasure than to think that people are able to become more and more happy and free in their own skin, loving and accepting themselves to freely be who they are.” That pretty much says it all, don’t you think?
I guess it is all about having purpose and passion in how we are living our life. And, I think those of us who can honestly answer that it is fun being us, would say we still approach life much like a child. So, what does that mean?
To truly be happy, I believe we must get in touch with our inner child. Children are always happy in the moment. They are their true natures; they’ve not been taught they have to fit in (socialized) yet. Watch a child and you will see how free they are and how little they care what other people think of them. Children are pure love and light. Unfortunately, we play roles to fit into our society and then we end up suppressing our true nature out of fear of what others think. Remember, when you find yourself feeling judged, this is the socialized you, not the real you. Maybe that’s why it’s fun to be me; I can still run a toy tractor across the floor making the best tractor sounds ever!
Become freer; play, have fun, and enjoy the moment. It’s fun being me. Is it fun being you?
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