How to be the change
Current EDI efforts in sports: (00:30)
- MLSE’s EDI Commitment (1)
- My opinion: PR statements are great - I wish they outlined each of their commitments
- What do we do? Re-post and go on with our day - Takeaway: This is not enough
Point: (05:56)
- Awareness does not equal change. Awareness promotes action and action leads to change.
- Sports analogy: the kid that gets cut every year at tryouts but comes back every season
- When will it be the year?
- When that kid takes the next step to push themselves to another level by changing his/her strategy
- Changing your perception of your role in a situation/environment provides the opportunity to work smarter
Why am I talking about this?
- We need to stray away from circular conversations
- Hope helps to inspire people and bring issues to light
- To take the next step we need to leap
- My first step is with this podcast - striving to get my generation not only talking about change but taking action
- What does it mean to work smarter?
- Ability to adapt to a situation and put the most effective resources to use
- Get out of the “one size fits all” mentality - every situation is different
Application to Sports: USTA (US Tennis Association) “Embrace All” campaign (2) (11:15)
- Relevance: It’s easy to identity issues what’s hard is holding ourselves accountable to change
- Why I love this campaign: The mission is hard-hitting, purposeful and intentional
So what’s the solution/how do we be the change?
- We lead by example and others will follow
- How do we get there? Become the best version of yourself!
Becoming the best version of yourself (16:40)
Point: To become the best version of yourself and reach your full potential you need to focus on growing each and every day.
- Figure out who you want to become and earn it
- Set reasonable, achievable, and challenging goals - expand your personal bubble
- Develop the small habits to become this person
- Set yourself up for success with the right mindset
- Accept your current situation and understand your worth - you deserve a better life for yourself
- Hold yourself accountable - find your inspiration
Personal Example: (20:25)
- I developed a “Watch Me” mentality as I heard stories of others being turned away. As I saw no one who looked like me achieve what I strived to.
- How? I focused on what I had to offer and made it abundantly clear that I had value to add
- Don’t just tell them… Show them! - actions speak louder than words
- Relevance: People will want to hop on your grind
- When others see what’s possible, their dreams now become more achievable in their minds
Relationship to Sports: Change comes with the right leadership
- Example with the Toronto Raptors and how Kawhi Leonard led by example and lead to the Raptors Championship 2019 win
Summary of points: (24:50)
- We can do more than share a post on our stories. We can walk the walk and go the extra mile by leading by example rather than waiting for change.
- We lead by example by developing a growth mindset to become the best versions of ourselves. We then develop small habits which over time transform us.
