Jul
21
Great leadership - giving thanks to those who helped you get there.
Filed Under Leadership, speaking, Inspiration, success
I watched Padraig Harrington win the Open Golf yesterday for the second year in a row. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
It is easy to forget that individual sportsmen rely on many factors to contribute to their success. Padraig didn’t though and I think this shows huge strength and leadership. He clutched his trophy and hogged the limelight until he was done.
I was struck by the range of acknowledgements he included.
He thanked
- The R&A for organising the great event
- Royal Birkdale for producing a wonderful course
- The stewards for keeping things under control
- His caddy - for so many things but mainly for being his right hand man
- His fitness team - especially his physiotherapist who turned an injured hand round so that he could play
- His coach who watched every ball hit on the practice range as well as in competitions
- His partner during the last game - Greg Norman - for being such a gentleman in sport
- His runner up - Ian Poulter for running him close
- The amateur winner - Chris Wood for setting an example to all players
- The R&A again for the work they do with children and young people
- And of course his family .
His speech was particulary powerful in that he explained why he was mentioning each person/team. No false flattery but meaningful comments.
Like all good leaders Padraig does not consider himself a “one man band” and it is important to him to acknowledge that.What a great example to set.
Jackie, I missed his speech, so thank you for the recap. How gracious, and what a deserving champion. Sports still has true heroes, and yesterday there were two playing in the final pairing.
Excellent example of the fact that we’re all part of a team, no matter the business structure we happen to work in. Entrepreneurs, corporate, you name it - for each of us to do our best is a group effort.
Glad to hear Padraig has such class! Great role model, indeed!
Hi Bob
Classy guy indeed. Add to that that he appears to be a devoted family man - see him with his little sons and that much is clear - and in fact he is verging on perfect!
I also missed the speech. Did he thank the losers too without whom he would not be the winner? My students always struggle with that one.
It is particularly timely with the impending benefits review for us all to understand that low inflation depends upon several percent of people being out of work!
I wish I had caught the speech.
I’m going to echo the others, Jackie.
Just as he was beginning the speech we needed to leave the house.
It’s always telling, isn’t it, when one listens to acknowledgments or lack of during a big win?
Thanks for taking time to do this…
Jo - Although I can’t remember the exact detail it is telling though I think that I can remember so much of what he said! All I can say is that he was so gracious in victory that if he did not mention those who did not win then it would not have been an insult.
Hi Steve
I may have Padraig completely wrong - but I don’t think I have - so it is entirely my pleasure to flag him up as a great example of a top level sportsman who has not forgotten who he really is.