I was officiating a post-season college basketball playoff game one afternoon. Before stepping onto the court we met with supervisors about the very contentious game that we were about to go into. As we were leaving the room, the supervisor called me back in. It was just him and I, and he looked me in the eye, and said Andrew you were chosen to be here. Never miss an opportunity to let them see you shine.
I said, thanks. He winked, smiled, and said have a great game.
At that moment, I was a little confused on what he was talking about. As an official we want to stay out of the spotlight, fly under the radar, and just get the plays/calls right. That was our mindset. We went on to have a great game, made the correct calls, and the right team won the game.
I reflected on what he had said for a few days afterward, and actually called him to ask if we could talk more about it. He went on to share that the job is more than just getting the plays right. It’s having a smile on your face, it’s being in shape, it’s having your uniform look clean. It’s shaking hands with people and greeting them in the right way. It’s adjudicating the rules as they’re supposed to be, and so on, and so forth. It’s more than just getting the plays right. It’s about being an ambassador, and carrying the banner for the game.
I took that mindset with me into my work as an educator. They hired me as a school leader for a reason. Again, it’s not about showing off, but it’s about making your people shine, your school shine, and celebrating the things that are happening around you.
Think about how you can do that in your school or your organization. When you host an event, you can make sure your facility is in tiptop shape and looking really clean. You can have pictures of people out and about in the hallways, even on a rotating slideshow. You can have some musical entertainment. Showing off the music and the arts your building has prior to the event. You can acknowledge the proper people, before the passing the credit, and honoring their skills and accomplishments.
Then, when you finally speak, be incredible. Be like a comet. Make it memorable, and brief. Have a prop and have a story. Have something that will stick in their memory. To me, those are things that you can do to help yourself and your organization shine. They hired you as the leader for a reason, so never miss an opportunity to let them see you shine. You have all the skills inside of you. Be humble, be grateful, don’t be afraid to display your gifts and talents, as well as the wonderful celebrations of your school or organization. Make your organization shine!
If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21. I offer one on one or small group coaching, keynote speeches, as well as full day inspirational workshops, and more.
Booking events for the 24-25 school year.
