G.O.A.T.

The Greatest Of All Time: GOAT.  Ask any sports fanatic who the GOAT is within the sport they love, and an answer will quickly follow.  Talk to people who are passionate about their assessment, and they will provide a myriad of reasons for their position.  Some will argue that it is based upon sheer performance statistics, while others will say it depends on how the team performs in trophies and championships.  Some will state that the well-rounded players are the ones who make the grade, while others judge based on fan following or corporate sponsorships.  Typically, however, there is consensus among followers about the top 3-5 “GOATs” in a chosen sport.  But perform a search for thee absolute best athlete and you will rarely find a resounding consensus for the #1 spot from every source contributing an opinion.  And opinions they are.  While there is compelling evidence for the stance people take, there is still no perfect formula for stating what makes someone reach GOAT status.  And hence, people will have differing names on their list and how they drew their conclusion.  Watch ESPN on any given day and you will hear experts debate the topic with reverence, spirited passion, and competitive dialogue.

If we allow varying perspectives about what makes an athlete a GOAT, why don’t we consider doing the same in other walks of life?  Let’s circle back to a sport to make this point.  Because basketball is in my DNA, we’ll go with something relatable for me to convey.  In basketball, someone might be the GOAT of rebounding and not have the same ability to shoot baskets from the perimeter.  Does this make that athlete have less value?  Maybe that team would be woefully weak if they didn’t have that individual to rebound for them so they could pass the ball out to the players on the key.  Some basketball players can shoot lights-out under pressure, while others have such great defensive hands that opposing teams loathe dribbling in front of them.  The point is it takes many types of players, different fundamental strengths, inspiring coaches, and spectators to comprise team sports.  In fact, even the “best” athlete relies on medical personnel behind the scenes to keep them safe and healthy.  The GOAT rarely lives in a bubble alone, and the GOAT is frequently measured on their ability to buoy the team and work within a larger network.  There have been many athletes who are technically superior who don’t reach the level of being a GOAT because of their persona, ego, or toxicity.

The next time you feel you aren’t measuring up to the ranks of a GOAT when you are comparing yourself to others, ask yourself what parameters you are assessing them on and what you bring to the scenario that sets you apart.  There are many markers for greatness and the comparison game is a perfect recipe for making oneself feel inadequate.  Take a broader lens and look for the variables tucked away in the background, the coaches who elevate others, the subjective measures used to determine value, the overall performance of the team dynamics, and the fans who cheer on the sidelines.  Often, the most inspirational GOAT is someone who doesn’t stand in isolation and reaches their pinnacle with gratitude for supports along the way.  Watch the interviews of an athlete you are drawn to, and likely there will be a person who recognizes they are part of a larger story.  They see the unique contributions provided by those around them, and they recognize that the elements that bring rise to the GOAT exist within all of us.  In turn, their strengths don’t diminish the gifts within others.  THAT is being a GOAT, and this is present within each of us.  We arrive as our own #1 GOAT when we honor ourselves independent of marginalizing comparisons.

Changepoints:

Think about something you are passionate about and identify a GOAT:

·        What characteristics of this person inspire you?  What traits are worthy of replication?

·        While you may see this person as a GOAT, can you find ways even they are not perfect?  If they are exemplary and yet with flaws, can you allow the same to be true for yourself?

·        In what areas do you inaccurately make comparisons or draw conclusions about yourself or others?

·        How can you embrace the roles you play in this world?

o   How will this perspective change your relationship with yourself and with others?

o   What can you do to enhance genuine happiness and support for the gifts in others?

The measure of greatness and how a self-GOAT is defined starts with you. 

outSIGHTin, LLC: Creating awareness as a changepoint for improved organizational results.