Jimmy V’s Famous speech is a lesson in leading with Emotional Intelligence
As I was driving to work today ESPN sports (the only station I listen to) was replaying a famous speech given at the Espy awards (a sports award show) back in 1993 by Jim Valvano. Every time I hear it I am so moved and inspired that I thought I would share this with you.
If you are not familiar with Jim Valvano and the speech he gave at the 1993 ESPN Espy awards it is something that you will want to watch. If you have seen it before, watch it again. It will change your day and will only take 10 minutes of your time.
Jim Valvano was a famous college basketball coach who in 1983 pulled off one of the greatest college basketball upsets when his team North Carolina State won the NCAA basketball tournament. In 1992 Valvano was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He gave this speech in 1993 knowing that he did not have much time to live. He died less than two month’s after giving this speech.
What I take from this speech is Jimmy’s comments that every day you must do three things;” Laugh, think, and have your emotions be brought to tears. Think about this, if you laugh, think, and cry, that is a heck of a day.” Jimmy understood a big part of emotional intelligence. He allowed himself to experience a full range of emotions every single day and that is what gave his life meaning.
As leaders of others we should not only encourage ourselves but those who follow us to laugh, think, and to be moved emotionally every day. We sometimes get so caught up in what we are trying to accomplish that we forget what is really important.
Take a look at this video and leave a message on what it means to you.
Thanks
Ed Turi
