The world just watched Cori Close and UCLA win their first national championship.
And while I spoke to them about The 7 Commitments of a Great Team in October I know that my influence was very small and it was Cori’s commitment to this team for the last 15 years that led to this huge accomplishment and championship.
I’ve known Cori for eleven years. I’ve spent a lot of time with her and she’s a dear friend. I wrote about her in The Power of Positive Leadership. What I valued most was the way she always poured into her players.
When one of them was in the hospital Cori slept in a chair in the hospital room and stayed several nights with her. Her players were more than her team. They were and are her family.
This is just one example of her many commitments and sacrifices I saw over the years.
The world now sees the championship but they don’t see the fifteen years of sacrifice, love and commitment to her players that finally made the championship happen.
Championships are rarely built in a season and greatness doesn’t happen overnight.
It requires you and your team to commit in uncommon ways when no one is watching to become someone everyone wants to watch.
Cori’s team lost in the semifinals last year and they realized there was another level they had to rise up to and greater commitments they had to make.
They came back this year with more focus, commitment, determination, grit and drive and won it all.
I want to encourage you and your team to learn from Cori and her team. Don’t give up. If you know you are doing the right things keep doing them. If there is another level you need to get to, decide to rise higher together.
I know there are so many great coaches in sports and business leaders out there who are doing things the right way that just haven’t achieved their ultimate goal yet.
I want to encourage you all to keep working. Keep pouring into your team. Develop a greater commitment. Rise to the next level. Your time is coming!
Lead Positive,
Jon
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