Nine Ways to Go for the Gold

by JC Bowman, posted in JC Bowman, Leadership, Professional Educators of Tennessee

I had an opportunity to spend a few minutes with Gold Medal winner Jim Craig, goalie from the 1980 USA Hockey Team. His message is one business, education and political leaders should hear. Here were my personal takeaways:

  1. Have a shared dream.
  2. Recruit a great team. You don’t win with talent, you win with people.
  3. Manage through ego and conflict.
  4. Always work hard.
  5. You must make personal sacrifices. Make your weakness your strength.
  6. Don’t be afraid to compete with others.
  7. Be willing to be held accountable.
  8. Stay young in outlook & spirit. Embrace necessary change.
  9. Great teams accomplish more than individuals.

JC Bowman

Jim Craig, like his teammates on the 1980 Olympic Team, continue to motivate people. As he reminded me: Don’t ever let your memories become bigger than your dreams.

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee. Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited.