Good Sports-Womanship

Now here is something you don’t see every day.

In a woman’s college baseball game last weekend between Western Oregon and Central Washington, Sara Tucholsky hit the first home-run of her college career. Unfortunately, in her excitement rounding first base she missed touching the bag. As she turned to retrace her steps, her right knee buckled and she fell to the ground in pain, unable to get up. Two opposition teamates consulted with the umpires and offered to carry her around the bases so she could complete her home run celebration. How excellent is that?

So often in life and in business we are too self-centred. How many of us would have even considered such a gesture? Of course, we would love to think we might do the same, but the reality is that few of us would have. That’s why this made the news…it is unusual. Those two opposition teammates…they are real leaders! Those two women Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, made a split second decision that defines their character and their leadership. They sought justice and wasted no time to see it enacted. Interestingly, they lost the game because of it, but that outcome never entered their mind in the moment. The simply did the right thing.

I hope we can all learn from this moment in sports history and apply this leadership and character principle to our lives and into our organizations. It’s not all about me. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of others and reach out to those in need. Let’s play fair, seeking justice, and fairness. When a split-second decision needs to be made, may we be strong leaders and make the right choice.

Share your thoughts with me on this application to leadership and you can read the complete New York Times article here.

Update May 7th: Here is a video clip of the 3 women on Ellen: