I am convinced that sports reflect life and therefore from time to time they give us the chance to think and learn.

While I was watching game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, I was touched by the crowd’s chants and ovation for Ginobili.  How often do you see this kind of love and respect from fans and opponents despite the result of the game or the series, or the fact that Manu hasn’t and hopefully doesn’t decide to retire yet?

Sure I’m a big fan of Manu, the basketball player, but I think his stats and titles are just a minimum part of his greatness, what really makes him special are his values and what his journey through the courts keeps teaching us, so I’ll share a few thoughts:

Self awareness

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to exploit the first ones and work on the second. It also allows you to make better decisions: when you must step up for the team, when you should follow someone else’s lead or focus ensuring a teammate’s success.  That’s what allows Ginobili to adapt through the years to contribute effectively to his team’s success under different circumstances.

“To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else.” – Dalai Lama

Respect

It is obvious that respect is fundamental for any healthy relationship, whether it is professional, commercial or affective; in his case, the respect that he receives from teammates, coaches, rivals and fans is the consequence of his respectful behavior on and off the court.

But I think it all begins with self-respect: at some point of the game, it seemed as if part of the Spurs team was resigned, and most people in their shoes would have been.  It was little less than impossible to turn around the result, but Manu wasn’t going to give up his dignity and he didn’t let his teammates do it.

“They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them” – Mahatma Gandhi

Making Others Better And Goal Orientation

In the last days many broadcasters have described Manu as unselfish and it is really remarkable the way a guy with his talent has sacrificed personal achievements on behalf of his team.  Have you ever realized that your competitive nature sometimes drives you to confrontations with coworkers or even with your family?

“Individual commitment to a group effort–that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi

And yet I think we are overlooking his generosity.  Some of the younger Spurs have commented on his disposition to help, give advice and guide, which is something everyone should do but just a few are willing to.

“Strong people don’t put others down… They lift them up.” – Michael P. Watson

Experience Matters

Sometimes technology and our fast paced reality seems to leave less room for experienced people every time on behalf of the younger ones.  How many times do you ignore your parents or grandparents advice to look for answers on Google?  How many times have you heard of companies exchanging experienced managers for young talents and automated processes?  And don’t get me wrong, I’m aware of the benefits of technology and the value of young talent, what I mean is that experience can’t be replaced.

Wise decision making and poise most of the times depend on the lessons previously learned through failure and success, that’s why it doesn’t really matter if Ginobili doesn’t dunk a dozen times per game.

“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.” – Randy Pausch

Work Ethic And Humility

It may be in the short or more probably in the long term, but doing the hard yards on a daily basis eventually will pay off.  Successful people don’t rely just their talent, they have the determination to work their butts off, collaborate and listen to advice.

What makes the difference between good and great, is realizing that arrogance can destroy what you have worked for, your team’s effort, winning inertia, relationships, etc.; and that the moment you think you already got there, life will prove you wrong.

“The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.” – Robert Hughes

Resilience

Manu has proved his tenacity through his whole professional career and representing Argentina:  Facing all kinds of challenges, conquering some of them, losing some others, sometimes struggling to gain the trust of teammates and coaches, sometimes as the go-to guy, sometimes surprising the world, sometimes coming up short, sometimes winning it all, sometimes discreet, sometimes in the spotlight… but always focused and determined to get the best out of the losses and achieve his goals wether it was in the first o the fifth try.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison

My conclusions are:

• Talent is an important asset for success, but there’s no way to achieve without hard work and determination.
• If you are wise enough, you will learn that your chances to succeed multiply with teamwork and collaboration, don’t shoot your own foot.
• Be aware of your strengths, and your weaknesses, it will help you find ways to improve individually and add value to your contribution to collective goals.
• Be humble and respectful in victory, endure and learn from defeat.

Darío Ponce Joshina