Care
Lead by choosing to care deeply about what matters most.
An ESPN article once discussed the one quality of leadership that caused Bill Russell’s Celtics,
Magic Johnson’s Lakers, Michael Jordan’s Bulls to be set the standard for NBA excellence and winning. The writer also pointed out Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose as leaders possessing that same quality. What is the one quality? Russell, Johnson, and Jordan cared—really, really, deeply cared—about winning. Points or MVP’s or salaries or attention were things they enjoyed to be sure. But the all‐consuming force that drove them, whether in practice or the playoffs, was an unrelenting determination to win.
Ironically, on the same day this article appeared online, another writercommented on Manny Ramirez’ retirement from baseball. The writer commented that the incredibly talented Ramirez’ retirement from baseball “didn’t really matter” because Ramirez really “didn’t really care” about the game anyway.
Every person on a team makes a difference—for better or worse. Every player on the team leads by helping set the tone. If a player cares most deeply about his scoring totals, then he helps lead the team to selfishness. If a player cares most deeply about his playing time, then he helps lead the team to be against each other. But, if the player who cares more than anything about making his or her team better every
day, then that player will always lead the team toward becoming a winner. Every person in life makes a difference—for better or worse. Every person chooses between living just to get what he or she wants versus living to make others lives stronger and better. Choosing to win at life means you must get beyond selfish words and selfish actions that make you the center of the universe. Choosing to win at life means you have to care about what matters most. You are not the center of the universe—God is.
And if you care deeply about Him and what He cares about you are guaranteed to become a leader who makes a powerful difference every day of your life.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the
others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3‐5
An ESPN article once discussed the one quality of leadership that caused Bill Russell’s Celtics,
Magic Johnson’s Lakers, Michael Jordan’s Bulls to be set the standard for NBA excellence and winning. The writer also pointed out Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose as leaders possessing that same quality. What is the one quality? Russell, Johnson, and Jordan cared—really, really, deeply cared—about winning. Points or MVP’s or salaries or attention were things they enjoyed to be sure. But the all‐consuming force that drove them, whether in practice or the playoffs, was an unrelenting determination to win.
Ironically, on the same day this article appeared online, another writercommented on Manny Ramirez’ retirement from baseball. The writer commented that the incredibly talented Ramirez’ retirement from baseball “didn’t really matter” because Ramirez really “didn’t really care” about the game anyway.
Every person on a team makes a difference—for better or worse. Every player on the team leads by helping set the tone. If a player cares most deeply about his scoring totals, then he helps lead the team to selfishness. If a player cares most deeply about his playing time, then he helps lead the team to be against each other. But, if the player who cares more than anything about making his or her team better every
day, then that player will always lead the team toward becoming a winner. Every person in life makes a difference—for better or worse. Every person chooses between living just to get what he or she wants versus living to make others lives stronger and better. Choosing to win at life means you must get beyond selfish words and selfish actions that make you the center of the universe. Choosing to win at life means you have to care about what matters most. You are not the center of the universe—God is.
And if you care deeply about Him and what He cares about you are guaranteed to become a leader who makes a powerful difference every day of your life.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the
others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3‐5