Passing The Mantle
Karen and I are heading to Montana for the summer on our yearly Holy Spirit adventure. While there, I hope to finish my next book, "Raising Greatness." Today's entry is a sneak preview of a chapter titled "Raising Greatness: Inspiring Performances." Enjoy.
Because of my love of sports and eventual background as a Sport and Performance Psychologist, I have witnessed many inspiring performances in the athletic arena that imprinted greatness upon both my heart and mind. I worked with David Robinson, the Admiral, for seven years. The final game of his career could not have been scripted any better. It was a Sunday night, Father’s Day, on our home court. He had an incredible farewell game, winning the World Championship Trophy. He stood on the platform holding his son and the trophy as the confetti poured down. “We Are the Champions” blared endlessly throughout the packed stadium of adoring, unhinged fans. The deafening cheers could have drowned out the sound of Niagara Falls. While I was witnessing this from the front row, I had something no one else had. Six years prior to this overwhelming moment in time, I had privately witnessed the first meeting he had with his teammate, Tim Duncan, who was standing next to him on the podium. Tim was named MVP of the game. As the three of us sat at lunch together in Aspen that day, David told Tim that he had a new purpose. That purpose, he said, was to mentor Tim to become the next leader of the San Antonio Spurs. The impact of those words struck deep into Tim’s heart that day. And mine. In the world of sport, a young superstar could be seen as a threat. But to David, it was an opportunity to help Tim realize his destiny. David was “raising greatness.” What no one else in the stadium knew, except for the three of us, was that this night was the culmination of David’s spoken purpose six years prior—the passing of the mantle. What a story of selfless exceptionalism. To me, the Admiral embodies the definition of greatness. In terms of inspiring performances, the words at the lunch table trumped that amazing night in the stadium.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
-Philippians 2:3-4 AMP