Checking for Understanding Part Three: Why the Greats are Great

This blog post, the third in my series entitle Checking for Understanding seeks to answer one of favorite questions: "Why are the greats great?" I'm not so interested in what makes the great ones tick, but I do want to know: What do they do? How do they think? and What habits do they hold that make the difference? As a sports fan, there is no shortage of articles/polls/blogs/lists that seek to identify the G.O.A.T., the Mount Rushmore, your All-Star team. Who you deem worthy of that title or position is up to you. I've got ideas too. But my question remains: Why is "X" great?

I have found that when I really and truly want to know something, the answer often finds me. Yes, we can research our topic, we can around and inquire from others, but I almost enjoy it more when I do and don't make that happen. And, questions, like the one I am asking make for good conversation. It's fun to see how people respond.

So before I share an answer, Check for understanding on 1) the idea of letting answers find you and 2) what makes the greats, great. 

Ready? This is what I have found....

In the article Swan Song: The key partner for Kobe Bryant in the Lakers' two post-Shaq titles says goodbye—and pines for some relentless dedication, Pau Gasol (with Lee Jenkins) writes
about his late teammate, who many consider one of basketball's all-time greats, Kobe Bryant. Gasol who played with Bryant for six seasons, earning two rings said:

If you play with him, you're looking every day at living proof of why the greats are the greats. It's not by accident. It's an obsession to reach that level and remain at that level. The dedication, the commitment, is such a unique thing. You don't find it. He inspired me to be better, to see the game in a more detailed way.

Reading the latter part of Gasol's description stayed with me. I heard the same words—seeing "the game in a more detailed way"—when former Patriot's tight end Aaron Hernandez described his coach, Bill Belichick.

Although the Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is a tragic tale, it doesn't negate the fact that Belichick was regarded by Hernandez, Gronkowski, Brady and countless others are aware they play for one of the greatest coaches of all time. The documentary states why: Belichick pays incredible attention to detail.

I took note of the commonality in the answers that found me. I started to wonder, do all greats incredible attention to detail. And, if so, what does THAT mean. Why is it important? 

With those questions in mind, another answer found me as I was listening to the podcast Fresh Air: Winston Churchill and Fearless Leadership. There is no transcript for this show so I have summarized what I learned here. But check it out and give it a listen for yourself.

Erik Larson, the author of  The Splendid And The Vile said, in commenting on Churchill's outstanding leadership during crisis—World War II—that the man loved to work. He said, 

His work ethic was outstanding, but not just because he worked incredibly long hours. but because he wasn't afraid to dive into the weeds and explore even the most detailed elements of government or what was going on at that time. And so, he would send off these memoranda or minutes to his ministers directly and would explore these minute points. This had the very interesting affect of putting these ministers on guard because suddenly the bureaucratic piece of their ministries was being completely uended by this man who really had an interest in everything they were doing, down to the nuts and bolts of their operation. This made people stand up and pay attention to what they were doing themselves and put them on the mark. 

In Larson' description of Churchill, I gained a sense of what it means to pay attention to detail and why that is important. I love the expression of "diving into the weeds." When you are passionate about a subject, the weeds might actually be a flower! 

I also know how much better I perform when I am being held accountable, advised and directed by a superior.  When this leader is inspiring, that attribute makes me want to do even better. When that leader is a micromanager and discouraging close attention to the details can be tedious and laborious. We all do what we have to do, but if we share a common goal and want to win, this might be the necessary path.

Checking for understanding around the question: What makes the greats great—and one answer: paying attention to detail should prompt you to ask yourself. Where are you willing to dive into the weeds? What do you take notice of and pay close attention to? How might people know this? And if you can't answer this question just yet, maybe an answer will find you.... Let me know!

Photo Credits
Churchill
AH and BB
Kobe and Pau