My daughter, in 4th grade Salvation Army Basketball.
The Golden State Warriors lost their first two games of the best-of-seven series against the Sacramento Kings. They won game three, however, largely because one of their starters and key players, Draymond Green, was limited in minutes.
So, for game four, Draymond offered to come off the bench.
Draymond "hasn't come off the bench in ten years," his coach Steve Kerr shared with the press, "But he came to me late after game three and asked, 'What do you think about me coming off the bench?'"
When a reporter asked Draymond, "If {Coach Kerr} had disagreed, would you have argued with him?" Draymond quickly responded “No” and smiled, "No. It was just a suggestion, to let him know that if {he} is mulling this decision, make it. It's totally fine."
Over the next few days, they ended up talking about it quite a bit. Steve Kerr provided reasons why he shouldn't come off the bench, with Draymond brainstorming reasons why he should.
One of coach Kerr's greatest concerns was how Draymond would feel.
"Who cares how I feel," Draymond said. "It doesn't matter how I feel." What matters is doing what's best for the team. And for that moment, what the team needed from Draymond was for him to take a back seat and play a supporting role.
And that inspired the hell out of his teammates who soon went on to win the next three games and clinch the series in a decisive game 7.
All because Draymond was willing to set aside his ego, his pride, and come off the bench.
I love this story because it is a true and tangible example of what it means to lead, to inspire the people around us, and to succeed. When we consider others as more important than ourselves, when we put the needs of the TEAM above our own, and when we consider what is BEST rather than what is best for me, GREAT things happen!
I don't know about you all, but for me, at times, this is very difficult to do. Largely because I want to be acknowledged! Selfishly, I want my hard work to be noticed and applauded and I want to know that I am making a difference. Sitting on the bench is literally me watching someone else do the work. And I hate that.
Just like Draymond. But, just like Draymond, I need to continually remind myself that it doesn’t matter how I feel. What matters is doing what is right.
Draymond's selfless decision was a reminder to me of two things:
When we focus on others and the TEAM's success, more often than not, we all win.
Our impact is NOT based on our role or title but on what we DO with that role or title. For not only did the Warriors win the series, Draymond still posted a double-double, thus adding to his immeasurable impact on his team.
Do what is right. Even if it means sitting on the bench. And that has been a great reminder and more than a subtle conviction to me this week.
#doGREATthings!
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