Sports have consistently served as a powerful vehicle for societal change thanks to the recognition and embracement of shared experiences which build character, teamwork, perseverance, and community.
Sports provides opportunities to confront adversity with confidence. Some of the most important skills we develop from sports experiences can be applied to our daily lives. Sports regularly pushes us out of our comfort zones and challenges us to confront fears by developing a success mindset.
A great unifier in times of war and peace, sports has broken several social barriers. The integration of professional baseball, the force of Muhammed Ali, and the 1968 Olympics taught us the importance of an unbreakable will and core values. LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Serena Williams have become more than athletes. They are role models, entrepreneurs, influencers and activists. Their powerful voices encourage others to be agents of change by leading lives of meaning and service. Most importantly, their influence has crossed racial and socioeconomic barriers.
Sports can teach us the importance of effective communication and sound judgment. We learn why there are differences between “listening” and “hearing.” Sports encourages us to think before we act and develop a game plan for how we respond to uncomfortable situations. Our words and actions can do damage if we do not properly control our behavior.
A winning culture in sports is often a by-product of effective leadership, positivity, and personal discipline. Sports teaches respect, sportsmanship, responsibility, and accountability. A positive culture to a close-knit team focuses on mutual encouragement, camaraderie, and support. The willingness of team members to embrace the views of others regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or family structure forms a cohesive unit that is built on trust.
We can all learn from this approach by focusing on these principles:
- Treat others the same way we would want to be treated
- Everyone has value
- Culture comes before strategy
- The Power of Words: Think about the language you use
- Do your actions create a safe, respectful environment?
- The power of dialogue will be amplified if it is combined with meaningful responsibility and sincerity
An athletic field is a laboratory for learning, life skills, and cultivating friendships. Disagreements and feelings of frustration are common in sports. However, these experiences allow us to discover the importance of patience, empathy, and respect. In victory and defeat, we learn how to be gracious and considerate of others.
Sports teaches us life lessons we can use long after we’ve left the field.
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Garland Allen , Dr. Marianne Engle, Wayne McDonnell and Steve Young contributed to this article.