In our quote file at Todd Team Coaching there is a quote that says what I think a great player does to be called great. It is certainly not just talent. Stories are legends about talented people who never lived up to their promise. It is also not about comparison. We constantly compare people of one era to people of another era. Wouldn’t it be more useful to acknowledge them for their accomplishments in their time?

Here is my quote. It has validity when we consider that what they were in their “time at bat” is equal to what someone else did in their time:

          “GREAT PLAYERS HAVE THE WILLINGNESS TO FULLY USE THEIR SKILL,

           TALENT AND ABILITY TO MAKE THOSE AROUND THEM BETTER WITHOUT

           DIMINISHING THE TALENT THEY NATURALLY HAVE TO GIVE.”

                                                                                        – Rolland Todd

Let’s look at what may just be the qualities of greatness:

  • The drive to learn
  • Unreasonableness in regards to the quality of their performance as well as that of others
  • The willingness to take responsibility for losing and asking, “What did we learn?” Thenworking on that.
  • Never using reasons to justify poor performance
  • Empathy for a teammate’s struggles, but never “selling out” on what you know they can do
  • Trusting yourself and letting your teammates know you trust them
  • No “blame” or “fault” directed at anyone. Everyone has a place in every game. 

Everyone on the team deserves to be there or they wouldn’t be there. The struggle is finding out what you have to contribute and being consistent in delivering that. 

               “GREAT COACHES NEED GREAT PLAYERS.

                GREAT PLAYERS NEED EACH OTHER.

                TEAMS NOT INDIVIDUALS WIN GAMES.” 

                                                  – Rolland Todd

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