LEBRON JAMES, FATHERHOOD, AND BEING THE MAN IN THE ARENA
If you’re not familiar with Tim Ferriss, the author of the 4 Hour Work Week, The 4 Hour Chef, Tools of Titans, Tribe of Mentors and others - Tim is known to some as a self help guru, but to most, he’s one of the best interviewers of world class performers. Athletes, authors, investors, travelers, inventors, you name it - Tim’s likely spoken with them on his Tim Ferriss Podcast where he delivers life changing perspective on life hacks and tools to success.
His latest interview is with the King himself - Lebron James, and Lebron James’ top secret trainer - Mike Mancias. In this interview, Lebron provides perspective on a number of topics important to BDads - but much of the dialogue focuses on fatherhood, leadership, and health/wellness. 3 of the most important elements of a BDad’s life.
In the world of health and wellness - Lebron and Mike refer to what I call “preparing for your well being”. Playing 15 years in the NBA and being at your absolute peak in year 15, doesn’t come by chance. Lebron and his trainer Mike talk about how they prepare each day, event and moment for longevity. The importance of sleep and how to achieve great rest and recovery. Recovery - a critical component of success that’s found in many discussions with leaders and winners across the globe. Finding time and space to heal your mind and body for the next great triumph.
Lebron also opens up some of his perspective on leadership. One of Lebron’s favorite leadership inspirations come from a famous speech given by former president Theodore Roosevelt - “Citizenship in a Republic”. If you haven’t read this speech, it’s most famous for one of it’s most compelling pieces - now known as “Man in the Arena”…
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
What Lebron takes away from this speech, and the actions of men like Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. is this sense of accountability, independence, and focus. He admits being swayed early in his career by opinion and poor advice, but as he’s grown and most notably, become a father - Lebron is driven by this sense of accountability - being the man in the arena so to speak. The man and the father that has to wake up everyday and live with his decisions, his choices and impact on the world around him. No one else can guide that connection for you - their in the stands, while you’re fighting for righteousness in the arena of work, life, and family.
The entire podcast is a gem of a listen, but in case you don’t have the time to experience the entire hour, here is a look at our 3 favorite BDad takeaways:””
“Celebrate Their Contributions To Success” Ensure that those on your team (including your family and children) feel like they are a part of the team’s success, that they contributed. We see Lebron touting the success of young Lonzo Ball - that’s not by accident - he knows the importance of showing his teammates and partners their value and contribution to success, and how this creates accountability.
“Influence Without Authority” Adapt your coaching, parenting, and communication style to the personalities you’re trying to impact. You can’t impose your will on everyone - there’s a power in listening, nurturing, and adjusting your approach based on that person’s or that child’s needs - in order to produce the successful outcomes you desire.
“Family is not a bed of roses, it comes with thorns” Lebron talks about the imperfection of family and team, and knowing that is part of the equation. But what’s most important is loyalty to your family, not allowing anyone to “penetrate those thorns”. There’s a power in sticking together in the good and bad times and Lebron applies this kind of balanced thinking to his fatherhood and team leadership.
Lebron continues to inspire.