If Gordie Gillespie Spoke to Congress

The Scene

It is the 21^st century in Washington D.C. in a full session of Congress. The legendary coach Gordie Gillespie has been asked to address the 535 lawmakers prior to the new session. The intent is his talk would be to inspire and motivate the leaders of the country. As in the past, this body of men and women, all younger than Coach, has been fragmented to the point of dysfunctional.

Lessons I have Learned in Sports

Thank you for the honor of being in the presence of this outstanding group. My usual audiences are coaches, students, and parent, so I am flattered to have been invited to be here. I am embarrassed by the flattering introduction.

To get started, let me find out how many of you have been coaches?  (About 50 people raised their hands.) 

Or team members? (About half raised their hands.)

I know that you probably are thinking that because I have coached baseball, football, and basketball for most of my life, that I was asking you about coaching and playing sports. No, I am talking about something much more general.

Think about yourself as coaches and team members. Actually, you have done both in the past, doing it now, and will be in the future. In order to achieve what you have done prior to this moment – as leaders, organizers, and supervisors – you have coached others.  Coaches are, first of all, teachers, helping others to be effective in their jobs. If you are a parent, you coached your kids to become adults through your words and actions.

You have also been team members, joining strengths and mutual assignments in order to achieve goals. You would never be here today without you and hundreds of teammates working together. Individuals can accomplish very little on their own. 

Being a Coach

Good coaches require qualities which are important today. In coaching clinics, I emphasize the following

• You have to know what you are talking about. You got here because you are good learners. Knowledge must be constantly updated.
• Organization is critical.
• Respect yourself and respect others.
• If you are not filled with enthusiasm; you will be fired with enthusiasm. (Lombardi)

Now let me get to the major, most important trait that good coaches must have. (Of course, over the past 50+ years, I have always been talking to men and women who are coaching kids and young adults.)

Most importantly, I tell them that they have to…. like the kids. 

If they don’t like kids, they need to get out. It’s not about you. It’s about the kids. Everyone of them from the first string to the last one on the bench.

Now, I can say the same to each one of you. 

If you don’t like the people that you represent, all of them…get out. All from the richest to the poorest, to those who voted for you and those who didn’t.

It’s not about you! 

Coaches’ Code of Conduct and Rules

Youth coaches have to abide by the coaching code of conduct and to the rules of the game. When they become coaches, there can be no variation from that code and the rules.

You, senators and representatives, are coaches and have taken a similar code of conduct (the Oath of Office) and must abide by the rules of the game, the Constitution. Get the similarities? It’s very much like an athletic event, isn’t it? Not real complicated.

I always considered myself to be extremely lucky to have the opportunity to be a coach, to help people grow and become better people. To have opportunities to enjoy life and use their God-given talents.

In this beautiful building, you are lucky to have the chance to make laws that will positively affect the lives of 340 million people. You have this privilege to do something that few others have.

Which brings me to the next point. 

Team Work

The only way that goals will be achieved is through teamwork. What is a team?

The individual sacrifices oneself for the team. A team functions when each player fills a role, sometimes leading, other times complementing or supporting. In order to succeed, we have to respect one another, to work together, and to share credit for victories as well as setbacks. 

Can a group of 535 people become a team? This is a challenge because of the large number of people. Fortunately, the structure of government accommodates smaller numbers in committees and task groups as I understand it. 

Is congress competitive? I am sure that it is. But aren’t you competing together against the problems the country faces? Are their jealousies? Of course, that is part of our nature. Just remember why you are here. 

Concluding Remarks

No coach or team wins every game. At one point, I was the winningest College baseball coach in the country. But I also had the most losses in the country. So, we all need to consider being a little humble despite being praised on a daily basis. Remove the mirrors from your offices. Instead of looking at yourself, spend time looking at and hearing others.

Think team and purpose. Why am I here, and how can I become a great team member?  What is my mission during my short time on this planet?