“There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option.”
~Dean Smith, Coach
One of the many ways in which people seek to divide one another is exemplified by the critiques of the “participation trophy.” The detractors hate the concept of awarding children trophies merely for participating in events. The advocates, on the other hand, like the idea of giving participants incentives for trying, and for being unafraid to “simply” show up.
VIM Executive Coaching can see arguments made for either side. We can also see this as a non-issue, another attempt to stir controversy to prove or disprove a point that needs no proof. No child was ever damaged by a little trophy.
Sometimes, it does take a huge effort “just” to show up, and sometimes the arena or the ring or the court is so intimidating that merely making the trip is all a child can do. And, let’s face facts, even in a children's game of baseball or basketball, where no score is kept, the true athletes are always spotted. Athletic scholarships are not awarded for bench-sitting.
In other words, despite the hoopla about participation trophies and trying to empower kids, it all seems to work out. We might also argue, that participation trophy discussions always seem to revolve around sports.
Suppose the discussion migrated to science competitions or mathematics or creative writing? We might see a different discussion take place e.g., “Well, not every kid can be a scholar!”
Let’s leap ahead by decades to talking about a more grown-up topic; executive leadership and business coaching, our favorite topics.
Sooner or later
Sooner or later, those kids who could never throw a football or who may have placed 6th in a 5-person track event (!), somehow find their way to something more appealing. Perhaps they become entrepreneurs or physicians or electricians or bond traders.
Conversely, it is not uncommon for even the most magnificent athletes to reach a level of competence and then fall back or get injured or flat-out fail. Trophies, large or small aside, no one ever gets through life without challenge and struggle.
The person who ultimately wins, is usually the person who knows themselves and by extension, inspires and uplifts those around them.
Great teachers are often borne of students who struggled; great coaches are often ex-athletes who got to a certain level and then could not achieve athletic “greatness.” Some of the finest mental health professionals were those who themselves struggled; often, the greatest scientists or inventors were those who failed miserably, tried and tried again. In truth, every one of these folks had no choice but to become mindful of themselves, their struggles and to develop a sense of empathy and compassion to help those around them achieve greatness.
Unfortunately, in this time of AI and digitized leadership, many would-be leaders default to technology over humanity. The results of this default have been remarkably catastrophic. Sooner or later, such organizations encounter the result of their unmindful leadership. The catastrophe may crop up in a hundred ways from the expected (turnover, customer service complaints, legal entanglements) to the unexpected (discrimination, biases, workplace bullying).
Mindful executives practice a leadership style based on a sense of authenticity and compassion. Despite anything that AI or digital platforms may offer, the platforms are not mindful. AI can’t counsel an employee. It may offer a dozen questions “to ask,” but asking a question is not the same thing as responding, mindfully, to the answers.
It comes down to executive leaders participating in the leadership process, not sitting on an imaginary sideline and hoping that everything will work out.
Mindfulness is the opposite of “hoping.” It is an active process available to any leader no matter the team. VIM Executive Coaching teaches executives greater mindfulness. It is more than an exercise, rather a passion to instill greater authenticity.