“It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward.”
Rocky Balboa
I am a child of the Rocky era. Rocky is a character who exemplifies a critical word for any leader: perseverance. No matter what we do in life it requires perseverance. I think about my role as a sport coach for many years. When I was starting I had to spend time volunteering for years before I began to get paid even a little. I spent hours working a job I didn’t enjoy so much so I could make money and be a part of a profession I loved. This took perseverance.
I think of a business opportunity I took advantage of, but didn’t go too well in the end. We began the endeavor right before the 2008 Recession. We trudged through some lean times, but stayed open.
What creates this ability to persevere and “keep moving forward” as Rocky says? I would suggest there are at least two critical traits.
VISION
Proverbs says “without vision, the people perish.”1 This principle is true across all areas of life. I have found in my life often when I am struggling to know what my purpose is and I feel I am running on a hamster wheel (getting up, going to work, doing life at home, going to bed and doing it all over again) I get depressed. This depression seems to come from my lack of vision or greater purpose.
Whether in your personal life or in the team/organization you lead, purpose is essential. This vision answers the great question “Why?” I spent a big portion of my life working with athletes and helping them get bigger, faster, and stronger.
I enjoyed that, but ultimately what kept me going is this was an arena to develop leaders. An environment to help young men and women develop the discipline and responsibility necessary to achieve great goals and eventually develop into a leader in their home and workplace. This sense of purpose gives is a clue to the second trait.
PASSION
This is part of the formula for success because according to author and psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth research has shown that grit is the combination of passion and perseverance.2 When we look at Rocky Balboa we see a man with grit. Rocky was hungry to accomplish a great goal in each of his movies. During Rocky III he lost his vision and at one point his grit which led to him failing to fight through the adversity of his training. During each movie Rocky has to fight through adversity and demonstrate grit in order to win.
What does all of this mean for leaders? First, what is the vision for where we are taking our family or leading our team/organization? Second, does the vision provide a combination of passion and perseverance to fight through any challenges that come our way? When we know our purpose and are passionately pursuing it we will have the ability to keep getting back up after we are knocked down. Need help clarifying your vision contact me. In the meantime, pursue your vision, keep fighting the fight, and lead well.
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- The Holy Bible. New International Version
- https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en, accessed September 14, 2016
