I was listening to a leadership recording the other day by Top 10 Leadership Guru and best-selling Author Orrin Woodward in which he gave a great example from his youth about doing his best. As a high school senior cross country runner he was content with the status of being the second best runner on the team. Then, the race came where a freshman on the team was attempting to pass Orrin. That didn’t sit well with him as he had a rule that freshman do not beat seniors. He unleashed his best not only holding off the freshman but passing the team number 1 runner finishing first-team all district.
It got me thinking to how many times in my life I have settled for less then my best thinking that was all I had to give. A great movie scene from Facing The Giants shows a young man who because he is holding back his best, hurts the whole team’s performance.
“God’s gifted you with the ability of leadership, don’t waste it.”
Sometimes I shutter in one of those cold, hair standing on the back of the neck feelings, thinking about who in this world I am hurting by playing it small?
I think of Great leaders like Tim Marks, Dan Hawkins, and BIll Lewis. All men that lead thousands of people now but at one time were faced with the question, do I continue on my current path or do I follow the leadership road less traveled so that my light will give other people the courage to do the same? I’m glad they chose wisely! Enjoy the journey, Steve Leurquin
Steve Leurquin Leadership 
Great blog, Steve! I love that word picture of who we’re hurting by playing it small! Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady are truly making a difference through the leadership materials they produce! Oh, that we can all make the same difference in our lives that they have in theirs!
[…] Joanna Fuchs Merry Christmas, Steve Leurquin GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); […]
Steve,
Great post, great movie! Actually, I recommend any and all of the movies produced by the “courageous” guys at Sherwood pictures. They do an excellent job of displaying greatness despite fear, as well as where the source of that greatness can be found.
John,
Their movies get better and better! I went with some leaders to see the movie Courageous and there weren’t many dry eyes in the house.Thanks for your post.
Steve Leurquin
Your blog knocks it out of the park again! I’ve never seen this film but this scene alone makes it a must see.
It reminds me of a talk my high school football / track coach, Garry Larsen, gave my senior. He was talking about what I now know as “dream, struggle, victory” and how we find greatness when we are pushed through adversity. Coach Larsen talked about a 250lbs bench press, and how when you lift that bar off the bench you can feel all 250lbs on your arms. It doesn’t feel lighter, it feels like 250lbs! But through training and perseverance your body is able to bring the bar down and push it back up.
Much like a person’s life, someone keeps adding weight to the bar and unless you’ve been training (read: the LIFE system) your arms will buckle under the weight. It the person who has digs into an awesome support system, filled with amazing leaders and information, that we can not only life the bar, but can lift it over, and over, and over…..
Zig Ziglar said that, “Motivation is like bathing, it should be done daily.”, and you blog, along with the other TEAM leaders are shining examples.
Great insight Greg! Thanks for the teaching in your response. Your words are like a blog post within a blog post! Coach Larsen sounds like one heck of a coach.
Steve Leurquin
Not to sound too much like a movie cliche, but he was the coach that taught much more about life than he ever did about football. A real Herman Boone (of Remember the Titans fame) kind of coach. He always knew just the right thing to get a guy going. Very Orrin Woodward-ish. He taught me many lessons of perseverance and overall manhood.
Steve,
I am with Chris, great use of words! Keep up the great work.
Kevin Hamm
Kevin,
Thanks for the support. I appreciate your feedback on how the blog articles are helping you out.
Steve Leurquin
? who arnt we hurting when we play it small? Look at the serious path we play for our children when we play it small!!! When truly if we dream and believe as they do imagine the walls our kids will never know!! So no holding back……Ill be your huckelberry! Thanks S great blog!!
Emily,
Your leadership is opening the door for your children to shine! Thank you for leading the next generation.
Steve Leurquin
Thanks Chris. I appreciate reading your leadership blog as well. http://chrisbrady.typepad.com/
Steve Leurquin
“Sometimes I shutter in one of those cold, hair standing on the back of the neck feelings, thinking about who in this world I am hurting by playing it small?”…Talk about some motivation when it comes to checking my gut! Great post!