14 Aug Only the Strong Survive
I often wonder what many of my class participants do upon returning to work. Are they just certificate holders or are they truly committed to being a champion of diversity and inclusion?
Here’s the thing, being a champion is not for the faint of heart. As a facilitator, I know this truth all too well. Michael Nila, Managing Partner at Blue Courage, taught me, “Ignorance is bliss, but awareness is torture.” So now I ask you this: Are you ready to become more aware? Or are you comfortable in bliss?
You say you are ready, that you want to be the change. But first, you must understand the anatomy behind a great champion for change.
The dictionary defines a champion as a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place. However, I would argue that being a champion in the truest sense of the word takes much more than just winning and holding first place.
People have a tendency to associate championship and competition with athletics. There are certain moments during competition that appear to carry great psychological significance and when the momentum starts to shift in one direction or another. These are the situations that require athletes to remain laser-focused and calm in the face of adversity.
Now I urge you to look beyond the field or court. Think about how there is a similar need for momentum and perseverance in leadership. Consider how this applies to life in general and our personal responsibility to give everything we’ve got.
It’s not always smooth sailing. Think about the times when life hasn’t gone quite as planned and how you responded. The journey towards peak performance is seldom a perfectly smooth road.
And so I challenge you to ask yourself this: Do setbacks hinder your self-confidence and lower your motivation and drive, or act as a catalyst for even greater effort? Do you learn from your mistakes?
Survival is a feat for the mentally tough. They are the leaders and warriors who continue to move forward when life gets hard. These champions include those who work through trials and tribulations. They are the ones who take failure and hardship and learn from them, planting them as seeds for future success.
Perhaps one of the cornerstones of being a warrior and a champion is humility. So let me ask you to be honest with yourself and engage in personal reflection when considering your words and actions at work. Are you relentless in your efforts to incorporate diversity and inclusion in the workplace? Do you maintain a positive attitude? Do you have the ability to remain laser-focused in the midst of chaos? Are you willing to endure the blood, sweat and tears; willing to pay the price? Are you prepared to get up, when life knocks you down?
Because that is what makes a true champion. It is about how you choose to act in the face of adversity. It is a willingness to listen and learn instead of giving up or looking the other way. It is about standing back up when you fall down, especially if it is for something you believe in. It is the power to push back against complacency and bravely take the road less traveled.
Have I fully achieved this? Absolutely not. I am a work in progress and I fight battles daily. Yet I know that with every battle I fight, I learn something new about myself and the world around me. I might not always win, but I’m always ready for the next battle. I choose to look ahead. I choose to learn from the past, not get caught reliving it. I choose to survive.
I am not perfect, but I am a survivor. And remember, only the strong survive… Will you?
