Six mini-stories to pump your tires
This entire article is lifted from a letter Chris Savage sent his clients this week.
It put a spring in my step. Hope it does the same for you
The most important Stoic virtue is courage. You have to be brave. To step up. I have been so energised this fortnight by leaders ‘answering the call.’ I hope you get a buzz from these stories too.
‘Impeachment’ tells the ‘Clinton’ story from the perspective of the key women involved. It aired last week. Monica is a
producer. I so respect her courage in the way she has brought what she terms “a purpose to my past.” She is now a global spokesperson on recovering from public shaming, bullying, and sexual power dynamics. The idea of making another mistake is catastrophic to those who have been publicly shamed. Monica has reclaimed her narrative. “In order to move forward, I have to take risks. I have to try things. I have to continue to define who I am.” Just awesome.
The Brand Guy is a big talent, and also super-energising. He sure has been for me since we were ‘lighties’ running around Cape Town in the 1970s. Check him out https://the-brand-guy.com/ Richard has the courage to be himself. He does not suffer from FOPO – Fear of Other People’s Opinions. FOPO has always held me back. Richard reminds me to be real. Puts a spring in my step to be seeing (via Zoom) more of him. The reminder – spend more time with people who energise you.
3. Ellie Carpenter and women’s football
She’s 21, has 50 caps for the Matildas, made her international debut at 15 years old, and her Instagram this week showcased her nailing it with Olympique Lyonnais. Brought up on a farm near Cowra, Ellie had the courage, with her family’s support, to move to Sydney when 12 to focus on football. Then moved to Europe to test herself against the best. How exciting that Australia, with New Zealand, will host the 2023 Women’s World Cup. And how brilliant for the tournament that my former STW colleague John Nicholl has joined as Head of Commercial Revenues. Exciting times ahead! Lots of great opportunities for brands and corporates.
4. Sonny Bill Williams (and Quade Cooper)
Quade has guided the Wallabies with calm dignity to victory in his first two internationals in four years. I thought he’d
retired, FFS. The back story. When life went pear-shaped for Quade four years ago, Sonny Bill reached out. Quade lived
with Sonny Bill’s family for three months.“I saw what it took to be a good, strong(person) every day.” Quade always had
the talent, but he needed someone to help him grow as a human being. The role of coaches is to make players better people first: to start thinking about the collective good. As my brother, Greg reminds me: “The most important role for leaders is to create more leaders.” Sonny Bill, and Quade, pumped my tyres this week.
Ronaldo set the example the night before his first game back at Manchester United last week. A team-mate tells the story. “I tell you now, not one player touched the apple crumble and custard, not one player went up for that brownie because everybody was sat down and one of the lads said to me, ‘What has Cristiano got on his plate?’ So we were having a little goosey gander at what he has got and obviously, it is the cleanest, most healthy plate you can imagine. And it just cracked me up how not one single player dared get up and have that junk food that was laid out.” Leaders are influential. Others follow your lead. Set the example!
6. Fran Clayton, and Leonard Cohen
DDB’s Fran Clayton wrote this week about ‘the novelty drought’ we’re all suffering. “Our worlds have shrunk, and our routines are on repeat.” So, I changed up my weekly ‘hour of solitude’ under the frangipani. Instead, I sat – parked and roof down in my 13-year-old Saab convertible, Peroni instead of Mythos, a Cohiba replacing the Hoya, but still accompanied by Leonard Cohen of course. This week’s Yom Kippur reminded me of Cohen’s courage in 1973 when he went from his island home on Hydra to the Sinai while the Yom Kippur War raged. He entertained troops and wrote ‘Lover, Lover, Lover’ for Israeli and Egyptian soldiers.
And may the spirit of this song
May it rise up pure and free
May it be a shield for you
A shield against the enemy
Keep the faith. Keep setting the example. May it be a shield of inspiration and strength for ourselves, and our teams. Have a great fortnight, all! (And happy 87th today, Leonard RIP).
Chris Savage
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- Posted by Greg Savage
- On September 21, 2021
- 4 Comments
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