"When pride still mattered....".

AuthorHawkins, Scott G.
PositionPresident's Page

Determination. Self-discipline. Self-restraint. Punctuality. Preparedness. Courage. Resolve. Commitment to doing your best.

In the acclaimed bestseller, When Pride Still Mattered (Simon and Schuster, 1999), David Maraniss discusses these qualities as reflected in the life and leadership of Vince Lombardi. Of course, we remember the famous coach of the Green Bay Packers as one of the most iconic sports figures of the 20th century. Coach Lombardi is widely credited with building a football powerhouse during the early struggles of the National Football League. His legacy of greatness endures.

While the potency of the Packers brand resonates, what is seldom remembered is how Coach Lombardi overcame many obstacles and setbacks. His early career was beset with frustrations and disappointments. Indeed, he was passed over for advancement multiple times. When he finally got a head-coaching position, it was not with a robust franchise. Rather, he enthusiastically assumed the leadership of a weak team with checkered finances and dubious prospects. Being from a small market (Green Bay, Wisconsin) certainly augured against the notion that the Packers would one day be perennial champions.

Several years ago, I read Maraniss' book and was captivated by Coach Lombardi's will. He was absolutely determined to maximize the individual contributions of each player, yet to build a team with unified determination. Although I cannot begin to analyze Lombardi's vary ing strategies, I was struck by his ability to motivate players from all backgrounds to take pride in their work and to commit to each other to do their best. And doing one's best, in the Lombardi paradigm, was in large part measured by a value system typified by discipline, focused effort, preparedness of mind and body, punctuality, and commitment. In short, very intentional behavior.

I raise the Lombardi example now to urge an examination of your own professional behavior and your interactions with other lawyers with whom you have a relationship. Taking pride in one's work, habits, and behavior is a core value that transcends all endeavors. This sense of pride springs from the quality of one's effort--whether in a wellwritten brief or a well-delivered presentation. Pride also comes when demonstrating restraint by not overreacting to a given circumstance or ensuring that one has informed the court of the contra-authority bearing on a given legal issue.

Satisfaction in a job well done is timeless and...

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