Your Soul Food Friday for August 6, 2021: Lessons in the Best of Humanity from the Olympics
Happy Soul Food Friday!
This week:
Every culture has some form of game theory which is basically about asking; what are the rules and how do you keep score to win.
Unfortunately, some of us don’t play by the rules, and/or end up keeping score with the wrong metrics thanks to privileging tribalism, poor societal conditioning, and strong egos but weak character.
Ego cares desperately about “winning”, but winning at all costs is most costly on yourself.
If Character matters, honorable losses are better than dishonorable wins.
If you are competing to grow (win/learn v. win/lose) this is how to measure real success:
- Honorable Wins
- Honorable Losses
- Dishonorable Wins
- Dishonorable Losses
I will reinforce it again, Honorable losses are better than dishonorable wins, and how we treat ourselves and others when no one is watching, as well as, when the whole world is watching is a true hallmark of character.
Here are some of my highlights from the Tokyo Olympics when in the face of adversity humanity makes good and inspirational choices that demonstrate they are the best in the world with our without a medal on their neck. In my opinion these are the real winners!
Tokyo Olympics: ‘Can we have two golds?’
An incredible Olympic high jump final ended with both Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi taking gold medals.
In one of the most exciting and competitive high jump finals in Olympic history, Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi — who both cleared 2.37m — decided to forgo a jump-off and share the gold
Pick up this video at 3:50 when the magic happens!
The Glory
The Story
Tokyo Olympics: ‘Can we have two golds?’ – high jumpers share win – BBC Sport
American Isaiah Jewett’s act of sportsmanship after being tripped is bigger than a win!
After their 800 meters races were cut short, Isaiah Jewett and Nijel Amos showed the ultimate sportsmanship at the Tokyo Olympics..
The rise:
Tokyo Olympics: American Isaiah Jewett displays sportsmanship in 800m (usatoday.com)
A Dutch runner took a bad fall on her final lap and still got up to win her race
Every iteration of the Olympic Games provides myriad moments that inspire, delight, or simply drop jaws that eventually form the type of awed grin we’re in no hurry to replace.
If you find that corny, go head and click away.
But do so knowing you’re depriving yourself of one such pure and magical moment from the Tokyo Olympics.
Saudi Arabian judoka and Israeli opponent clasp hands in solidarity after boycotts in men’s category
Tahani Alqahtani and Raz Hershko clasped hands at the end of their bout after Alqahtani faced mounting pressure to follow two Muslim athletes who boycotted their fights against Israeli athletes.
An Australian Gold Medalist Invited Her Bronze-Winning Teammate To Share The Podium
After winning her second gold medal, swimmer Kaylee McKeown invited Emily Seebohm to share the top step of the podium. “It was quite emotional. She had some tears in her eyes, so did I,” McKeown says.
“Oh, F—, This Is Gonna Suck Today”
How American swimming superstar Caeleb Dressel pushed himself to a historic five gold medals in Tokyo.
Olympics: Caeleb Dressel’s five gold medals keyed by this (yahoo.com)
Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles bring fresh voices to the fight against stigma of mental illness
The two Olympians have the right stuff to raise awareness about mental illness. It can happen to anyone.
What leaders can learn from Simone Biles’ Olympics exit
Simone Biles taught us all a lesson about mental health in the workplace.
What leaders can learn from Simone Biles’ Olympics exit (fastcompany.com)
May we all invite our highest selves to the field of play.
Play it forward!
Love,
Neville
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“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
Happy Soul Food Friday! 