Every now and then we pen a post that I\u2019m well aware has the potential to be eminently unpopular. Let me respectfully prepare all now. Please note that the lack of popularity is never the result of intentional offense; rather, the perspective is one with which we either (1) vehemently disagree or (2) simply don\u2019t want to admit may be true. All should feel said freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I witnessed something last weekend, no less, that seemed to surpass most learnings in sports. (Stay with me, friends; this is not a sports post, albeit still understandably, particularly painful for my pals in the state of Ohio.)<\/em> In one of the most notable rivalries in college athletics, the Ohio State football team lost to the University of Michigan; their history is huge. The teams first met in 1897 and have played annually (save Covid) since 1918. There\u2019s no question it\u2019s one of the most contentious, anticipated games on the college schedule and thus important to many. Hence, when the Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines for the fourth year in a row Saturday \u2014 in a year when it wasn\u2019t even expected to be close \u2014 it was difficult for the diehards to handle. That includes persons in this blogger\u2019s own household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is absolutely no judgment for an outcome being difficult. We each have people and passions we prioritize \u2014 in far more than sports. It\u2019s hard when they fail to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Said failure transcends the stadium. As oft stated here, for example, I work in the HR world. I\u2019m grateful to have done this for many years and be able at this stage in my professional career now to add value in ways that I clearly missed when lesser experienced; there\u2019s beauty in the grace the years present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my current scenario which includes a significant number of young professionals, one of the encouragements we fervently repeat is that \u201cyou have the freedom to fail.\u201d Let me say that again\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have the freedom to fail.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note what that is and is not. It is not a denial of defeat; it is not a celebration of error, omission or total lack of success. But what it does mean is that everyone is on this team for a reason\u2026 \u201cWe believe in you\u2026 we believe in your ability.\u201d <\/em>And recognizing that none of us have walked on water yet on this planet, none of us are perfect; hence, we don\u2019t expect perfection.. \u201cAll of us will make mistakes. All of us will fail some days. Let\u2019s learn from both the best and worst of days.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The freedom to fail takes the pressure off. It\u2019s amazing therefore how much better work it produces and also what a healthier culture it creates when no one thinks there\u2019s an expectation to be perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So back to the college gridiron\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The week of the game, highly respected OSU coach Ryan Day sat for an interview discussing the upcoming contest. He poignantly verbalized what it was like to lose to Michigan. Said Day, \u201cWe\u2019ve felt what it\u2019s like to not win this game, and it\u2019s bad. It\u2019s one of the worst things that\u2019s happened to me in my life, quite honestly. Other than losing my father and a few other things, like, it\u2019s quite honestly, for my family, the worst thing that\u2019s happened. So we can never have that happen again \u2014 ever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contentious. Highly anticipated. Important to many. All of that is still true. But with absolutely all due respect to Day, note the message he\u2019s sending to his team, a group of men whose average age is just over 21 years old. The mindset is that losing a game is \u201cthe worst thing\u201d that could happen to you in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No judgment, friends. I know we passionately want our people and teams to win. But I sincerely question two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One, do sports ever become too important? Games? Does winning ever become more important than life and death, faith, health and relationships?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And two, if a team goes into a game absent the freedom to fail \u2014 believing if they lose, it will be the worst thing that ever happens to them \u2014 will they play their best? How tight\/loose will they actually play?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just asking\u2026 and grateful to add value in ways that I once missed. There is indeed beauty in the grace and insight experience present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Every now and then we pen a post that I\u2019m well aware has the potential to be eminently unpopular. Let me respectfully prepare all now. Please note that the lack of popularity is never the result of intentional offense; rather, the perspective is one with which we either (1) vehemently disagree or (2) simply don\u2019t … <\/p>\n