TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#81 July 17 2006
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

Admittedly I am not much of a soccer fan. However, I was attracted to the World Cup Championship between Italy and France played in Berlin. I thought these two adjacent countries would surely have rivalry at its best. I was right. I didn't care who won - I guess that's the Referee in me, however, several life lessons jumped right out at me.

I happen to believe that sports at all levels can teach us lessons that help us become better human beings, better citizens, better parents, better students, etc. Here are some examples I saw from the World Cup Finals:

First, "This squad showed great heart, maybe it wasn't pretty but we were hard to beat", said Italy's midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, I thought back to what Ron Jaworski, QB of the Philadelphia Eagles said of "walk on" Herman Edwards when Herm played 10 years for the Eagles, "He wasn't that good. They just could never get rid of him, because he was such a fierce competitor - an overachiever".

Second, France's star player Zinedine Zidane committed the ugliest act in a World Cup Finals that set records for yellow and red flags for outright brutalities. Herman Edwards believes you, "Play fast, play hard, play smart - and keep your poise". Zidane, (Zizou as he is known) the French Team Captain was outstanding in the first two, but failed miserably, when he was thrown out (red card) of the game in the 2nd extra time. With 10 minutes left in the match, Zidane head-butted Italy's Marco Materazzi, who is said to have called Zizou a "dirty terrorist", which, of course, is a redundant term. (Some reports are that the language was even worse). Regardless, that's no excuse for illegal physical retaliation.

With the game possibly headed toward a 1-1 tie, and a the penalty shoot-out a certainty, France counted on Zidane's superior skills to win, but instead Zidane lost his poise and was on the bench.

And finally, Italy overcame adversity to get into the playoffs. In an earlier incident Italy was accused of match-fixing and had to endure the stress and anguish of that scandal. Overcoming adversity is the hallmark of a true champion. Speaking of "true champions", Zidane was awarded the "Golden Ball" (ala Super Bowl MVP). No question about his physical skills, but to award it to a disqualified player is an injustice to those who play by the rules.

Will you keep your poise when confrontation happens?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success
For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com
Visit my blog for the entire collection of my Tunney Sides:
http://tunney-side-of-the-street.blogspot.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

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