Christian-Laettner-the-shot

March Madness is in full swing and this weekend provided its typical slate of heroic performances, nail-biting finishes, and miraculous buzzer-beaters.  It is a GREAT time to be a college hoops fan!  In the close games, there is one player who has the ball in his hands as the clock winds down.  The team relies on this leader to determine the entire fate of the season.   All the pressure is on this player and he wants to take the shot with the game on the line.  He assumes the risk, shakes off the pressure and has the chance to become an instant legend (if only for a moment) by sticking the buzzer-beater.  Rodney Bullock from Providence.  Paul Jesperson from Northern Iowa.  Josh Hagins from Arkansas-Little Rock.  Bronson Koenig from Wisconsin.  Brandon Ingram from Duke (Okay, fine. I threw him in there just to see if you were paying attention!).   These were and are some of the “go-to” guys of March.

As in basketball, each one of us has a “go-to” person we rely on when the pressure is intense.  In business, it could be the trusting salesperson who calmly explains the benefits to a doubting client.  Or the visionary CEO who can come in to close a crumbling deal with sheer passion.  Or the even-keeled manager who removes all the internal roadblocks for his team.  These people make us feel comfortable when the deal is on the line and the business is at a crossroads.  Placing our trust in them usually ensures victory.  In the same manner, each of a has a “go-to” person in our personal lives.  Perhaps it is a spouse, a parent, a family member, a close friend or some combination of all of these.  We trust these people with our deepest secrets and turn to them in both the good times and the bad.  Our “go-to” person accepts the pressure, welcomes our problems and wants us to succeed.  We simply could not make it without their support.

It is in times of crisis when we need our “go-to” person the most!  If we strive for resilience and want to move forward, we cannot do it alone.  Resilience requires teamwork.  If you are struggling with a sale, do not be afraid to involve trusted leaders to help guide you through the process.    If you are struggling with a complex concept in or out of the classroom, do not be afraid to involve a mentor or advisor to help guide you through the difficult period.  If you are struggling with leadership and direction in your company, find your savviest business contact and seek out their advice.  These people will help you in crunch time and ensure you are always on the winning team.  It is even more important to find the “go-to” person in our personal lives.  We all experience setbacks and bumps in the road at some point in our journey.  Financial difficulty.  Relationship problems.  Legal issues.   Academic distress or heartache.  Everyone needs a “go-to” person in times of distress or despair.  We trust their advice and they help us move forward even if they are only in listen mode.  Just confiding in this person instills us with hope and allows us to face our issues with confidence.  These “go-to” people are the MVPs in our own lives!

But it is important to remember that we also need to be that “go-to” person for others.  This is not a one-way street.  Listen to the problems of those closest to you.  Look for warning signs when someone you care about may be in trouble.  Be a shining example of integrity in your personal and professional life.  Let your inner circle know you will always be there for them.  Just like you need that “go-to” person in difficult times, there is someone who needs your support.  And being there for others will give you the strength to persevere when you face your own difficult moments.   Providing this “go-to” support will also embolden you when your support system breaks down.  What happens when  our “go-to” person can no longer help us?  We may lose a spouse, parent or close friend to illness or old age.  While incredibly painful, giving up is not an option.  It is now our turn to be strong and step into the batter’s box!  We need to channel our support into helping others.  We need to set an example and be the rock for our own children and loved ones during their difficult times.  Being a “go-to” person is about paying it forward.  Channel the support you have received into your trusted inner circle of family and friends.  This will be your legacy.

Everyone needs that “go-to” person in their lives.  We must appreciate all that they do for us.  And we must honor them by paying that support forward. Stay resilient!  Stay positive!  Be strong!  Keep moving forward!  And be that “go-to” person for those closest to you!

Until next week, keep smiling!