Once in a Lifetime?

I expect each generation can reflect on the amazing athletes that have competed throughout their lifetimes. Some might recall; the feats of the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus; the coaching legend, John Wooden and his UCLA teams; the Babe; Michael Jordan and his Hall of Fame career as perhaps the greatest basketball player ever; and in the track & field era, the likes of Jesse Owens or Michael Johnson. Many of us can reflect upon the memories of watching each of these individuals or teams competing, be it on TV or if lucky, in person.

Well, here at Gahanna Lincoln, we have that same opportunity in its infancy - this year, on our track.

Jake Blankenship, Gahanna Lincoln student-athlete, University of Tennessee signee, defending State Champion, National Indoor Champion, National Outdoor Champion, State Record Holder indoor and outdoor, and the Bronze Medalist in the World Outdoor Championships in Lille, France.

Jake Blankenship, Gahanna Lincoln pole vaulter will be finishing his senior year at Gahanna Lincoln this spring and offering many of us a few opportunities to see his pole vault career in its infancy. If you've never had the privilege of witnessing a world-class athlete or an athlete that catapults himself over a bar to the heights of 17'6 inches and going for the National Record of 18 feet, then you want to get to a Gahanna Lincoln Track meet over the next few months. He truly is a future All-American and perhaps an Olympian. Knowing the drive and determination of Jake, once his mind is set on achieving a goal...that goal will be met.

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to watch a spectacular athlete competing at the highest level. Best of luck to Jake and I hope you'll join me in catching a glimpse of his greatness.

Go Lions!

Focus on the "Family"

There is a local radio station here in Central Ohio that broadcasts a segment called "Focus on the Family", it's a nationally syndicated organization, so I want to make certain, I'm not representing this group or any of it's afflictions.  It's simply a blog title and one that I think can prove relevance to what each of us do.

Ohio has been tragedy shaken in the lieu of the recent events at Chardin High School.  I will not attempt to understand nor explain the "why" of such a tragedy, but simply suggest what the focus on the family might provide.

Who is a part of your family?  Simple question.  Naturally, you would rattle of the names of your spouse and children, perhaps you would include you parents or in-laws.  But what if you extended your family to include those that are members of your 'Team".  If you're in business, you have co-workers or employees that associate with you and look for your leadership.  In the schools, we have teams of teachers, staff and students whom provide the make-up of our building each and every day. 

So, what if we truly viewed these individuals or groups as a part of our family?  I don't know of many leaders or business owners who define it this way.  But I would tend to believe, that by using "family thinking" rather than team thinking it's a much more personal business, and would tend to take more family actions than corporate actions.

So, who's a part of your family now?
What actions, opportunities or associations would you change through this thinking?
If your actions and involvements are based on what benefits it would provide for your own family.  Who would you be open to eating lunch with?  What family celebrations would you acknowledge (birthdays and special occasions)?  Would you as a "family" work together to provide a better living environment, look after your "home", pick up your trash or belongings that are thrown all over your house?  And what type of atmosphere would be evident in your "home"?  Is it more relaxed, is the language you use appropriate for your "home"? 

Whether you call your people a team or a family, as a leader and member of an organization, I think we have a responsibility to view each of our associates as members of our family.  That this simple assessment of each other, would change the culture and climate of each of our environments.  That members of our families would be honored and respected in a manner we would all wish to be. 

So, for the next few days, weeks and even months, make an attempt to view everyone on your team as a family member and see the difference this simple change can make.