As the saying goes… “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.”  If your position requires you to lead and coach others, I guarantee that those you mentor know whether you stand for something, and their willingness to follow your lead will be determined by this.  Here is one great example, with lessons you can build a life around: 

Northern State University men’s basketball coach, Don Meyer, was presented the ESPY Jimmy V Award 2009 for Perseverance.  You may not know him, but all the great coaches in College Basketball do.  He’s been at it for 38 years.  His story is incredible, and his acceptance speech, impressive and memorable.

Meyer is the third recipient of the JIMMY V Award.  The honor is presented to a personality within the world of sports who, due to sheer zeal and perseverance, has achieved success in their respective field after having overcome immense obstacles.

The award was presented to Meyer in an effort to honor the determination he displayed after sustaining life-threatening injuries following a car crash last September.  The accident almost killed Meyer.  Somehow he survived, but was inflicted with critical injuries.  Amidst the numerous surgeries to revive him, doctors discovered that Meyer’s intestines and liver were infected with cancer.  This was another blow that he had to courageously face, while still recovering from the post accident trauma.

Meyer spent 55 days in the hospital, undergoing the recovery phase, and lost part of his leg as a result of the ordeal.  It was his sheer will that kept him going day after day.

In his acceptance speech, he described the long-standing foundational values that lead one to this kind of determination:

For example, he explained that from the very start, he instills in his team the following “F” words:  Faith.  Family.  Friends.  He went into how each one of these was a critical factor to his healing and fortitude.

He also teaches his players something that John Wooden taught him: 

“Don’t whine.  Don’t complain.  Don’t make excuses.”

And finally, he summed up his experience with these words: 

“I’ve learned from this Odyssey that peace is not the absence of troubles, trials and torment, but the calm in the midst of them.”

This kind of living, remarkably, provided Coach Meyer with the resources and dedication to get back to work in time for basketball season.  He coached from a wheelchair.  Can you imagine how his players must have listened and followed his direction?  

A reminder to all of us:  Great Coaching takes living your values when it really counts…