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I’ll admit it, I am/was a huge fan of Lance Armstrong. His story is simply amazing and awe-inspiring. Seven time champion of the most physically demanding event, the Tour De France. No one in the history of sport has achieved the same level of success, period.
But wait, there’s more! In addition to his elite athletic status, he has also been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has literally been on his death-bed. Literally. In miraculous and unparalleled fashion, Lance was able to beat the odds of cancer and return to his sport. It wasn’t until after his battle with cancer that he then set the record of 7 consecutive Tour win’s record. Amazing. I often wondered why he didn’t wear a red cape as Super Man did. In addition to his superior athletic feat, Lance is also credited with found a cancer research foundation ranked in the top 10 funded cancer research centers in the US rising over $325 million.
There is no chance you’ve missed the news this week. There has been incredible evidence that allegedly reports Lance Armstrong used illegal performance enhancing drugs during his successful reign as champion. It’s pretty strong evidence folks.
This breaks my heart. Lance is/was my hero. I often use the Lance Armstrong the story to inspire many of my clients and to show them importance of ‘never-ever giving up’. I still to this day play the Nike commercial announcing Lance’s cancer. It sends chills down my back. My hero has let me down.
Friends, it’s time to review the personal (and to coach our children) leadership characteristic of PRINCIPLES. Principles are our personally defined rules that we use as a compass to tell us what behaviors are right, and what behaviors are wrong----even when nobody is looking.
Yes---even when no one is looking.
I grew-up a Boy Scout. The Boy Scout Law (Principle's) that I committed to memory is:
A Scout is:
- Trustworthy,
- Loyal,
- Helpful,
- Friendly,
- Courteous,
- Kind,
- Obedient,
- Cheerful,
- Thrifty,
- Brave,
- Clean,
- and Reverent
To this day, I continue use this as my guiding list of principles. I don’t want to imply that I never miss, or ever make a mistake, but do promise you this: I know my rules and seriously consider them in every action I take. I’m not perfect, neither is Lance.
Wouldn’t it be cool if our hero’s did too?
The Dynamic Leader, LLC is an elite leadership development firm committed to bringing out the best in leaders and those who follow them. See more at www.TheDynamicLeader.com