"You Can Be Both."
~ Coach Tom Tracy
Like him, love him, despise him …… Deion Sanders is thought provoking. He’s made me re-evaluate myself as a coach. How best can you motivate your players, teammates, peers? How are you defined as a leader? Are you consistent and dedicated as a front person? Should one tone down being confident and self-assured? Can one individual change a culture? My list of contemplations goes on from here.
Engaging in these and other similar thoughts, made me revisit a book writing idea I had well over a decade ago. I never wrote a chapter, let alone an entire book. But, I did jot a few ideas down. So, I just dug that paper out. My now “dated” paper is entitled “You Can Be Both”. I very much believe it is still relevant today.
You Can Be Both
Competitive and Compassionate
Successful and Humble
Courageous and Calculated
Kind and Forthright
Honest and Tactful
Proud and Willing to Learn
Confident and Able to Listen
Passionate and Empathetic
Tough and Vulnerable
Yearning and Grateful
Reflective and Forward Thinking
Progressive and Love Traditions
Steadfast and Open-minded
Diverse and Have Favorites
Furthermore, You Can Be
Decisive without being Divisive
Thankful without being Content
Team-oriented without Lacking Self Worth
Dedicated without being Self-centered
On the losing side without being A Loser
My Point:
Be Authentic. Be Real. Be You. And, do it well. Define yourself, don’t settle for being
defined.
Maybe in another decade and with some more practice, I’ll be a little better at following my own advice.
Coach Tom
