Did you happen to read the news clip about Detroit Lions’ Center Dominic Raiola’s post-game comment to a Miami Dolphins’ fan after being heckled coming off the field?
It was a situation that happens too often these days in professional sports where an athlete responds to a fan’s taunts and it’s caught on video and posted for the world to see. Click here to read the story and then click here to go to the YouTube video (warning: this is not censored and contains raw language - well one uncensored word) ... you can also get to the video through a link in the story.
YouTube so kindly posts other videos that include Raiola once you finish watching the video that captures the ‘pleasantries’ being exchanged as he entered the tunnel. The second suggested video made me raise an eyebrow because it was shot at Galesburg-Augusta High School in Galesburg, MI.
Raiola was shown signing autographs for students, posing for pictures with staff and he spoke about how he has a responsibility, as an athlete, to set an example for these kids. Here’s the link to the team PR, I mean personal service video.
Here’s the disconnect I see all too often - athletes not living into their values. In fact, I wonder how grounded some of these athletes are in their personal values? Doesn’t seem like Raiola is as this isn’t the first time he’s done this, nor will it be the first time his team has fined him for such behavior as well.
Now, the truth of the matter is that this is also the case for mortal humans like you and me.
So, the question I pose is not how often do we act in a way that doesn’t align with our values? The question really is this – are we even grounded in our values?
One of the key points I make when I speak about Reputation Management is the importance of knowing AND consciously thinking about your values every day.
If you like analogies, consider your values your lighthouse, GPS, compass, anchor or buoy. I’m sure you can come up with several other analogies that might be more personal or relevant to you despite the nautical theme that I just strung out.
Remember that we will retain certain core values, but others will evolve as we mature or as external circumstances influence our lives.
Consider this time of year your time to reflect and take inventory of the values that will guide you through a prosperous 2011!
Below are a few resources I’ve found that will help you along your way:
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