Pass the baton

The stuff that legends are made of.

Sometimes we call it grit, determination, and drive. Whatever the name, we all love to see an individual go above and beyond to achieve a goal or to pursue a dream.

We see these energies in a variety of scenarios. Most of those involve pushing to the finish line or the goal. And we give special recognition to those who continue to respond to that call well beyond our expectations.

You probably have mentors or role models who inspire you today because they have found new inspiration upon reaching their retirement years to continue their work or build it in new directions. I can think of five individuals — some famous and some not — who occupy that spot for me. And I’m thankful for their lives and examples.

Yet, I can think of many other persons who chose a slightly different course. Their event was more like the first three legs of a relay. Their mission was to start well, run their best segment for the team, and manage a transition efficiently. All of that was important, of course, but passing the baton was the critical piece. Knowing when to slow down, to extend a hand to those coming behind, and step aside to let fresh talent move ahead.

Those folks are my top-line heroes. They are the ones who took a chance on me, mentored me, and coached me. And then, at a critical moment, didn’t hesitate to pass me the baton. Time after time, I’ve been given opportunities by those who could have completed the race better than I — even after running their own laps. But instead, they passed the baton.

This old world has a lot of needs and a big demand for ace performers. I applaud those who answer the call each day. However, I try not to forget that the future will be carried by those who take the responsibilities and tasks we carry and transform the race for a rapidly emerging world.

I’m proud of those I’ve had the opportunity to teach through the years and to partner with as professionals. Their accomplishments are truly remarkable. To them, my best advice is to pass the baton when the time comes. Your legacy will live far beyond your years.