What happens when the applause arrives
Serena Williams just returned to professional tennis after four years away, won in straight sets and then gave herself a C-minus.
That caught my attention. I love a good comeback story, but this was more.
I’m not a tennis fanatic but even I know she’s broadly regarded as the GOAT of women’s tennis.
Six years as world number one. Twenty-three Grand Slam open titles – the world record. One of the greatest atheles of all time.
Serena walked onto the court 2 days ago to wild cheering and support. She was on form, played her characteristic game and dominated. She and her doubles partner, teenager Victoria Mboko ranked at World Number 9, won a decisive victory in straight sets.
There were smiles and the pair high fived each other at key moments. Williams clearly enjoying the process and finding joy in the return.
Yet afterwards, when asked about her performance, she gave herself a C minus.
Serena, perfectionist at heart, seemed to be holding to her principles. Clear on what good, and great, looks like.
And the why behind the comeback wasn’t about money or ego. She wanted her two young daughters, aged 2 and 8, to see her play. Seeing the historic win, the two were however, reportedly unimpressed. They wanted to go to the toy store and know what was for dinner. Serena found complete humour in her daughter’s lack of interest and said it “kept her down to earth.”
All of this made me pause for thought. There were many leadership lessons in this story. But one stood out.
As a leader of a team, a business, or simply your own work day to day, we are surrounded by external signals that can become noise. This can distract us from the standards that matter most.
Serena’s story reminded me that a why and a standard are not quite the same thing. Your why explains why you do the work. Your standard defines how you choose to do it. Are you clear on both?
Then consider how you will express it. What’s the example you want to set? What will it look like in your decisions and behaviour. Think about how your personal view of what “what good looks like” connects back to your why.
Whether we’re in the C-suite or down in the trenches, much of what we do as leaders goes unnoticed and unacknowledged.
Yet over time, the consistency that comes from personal alignment around a standard that doesn’t move, even when the applause arrives, provides guidance to those around us.
Continuing to live your why, while holding your standard, may create a moment of inspiration right when it matters most.
Just like when a comeback story inspired an article and LinkedIn post for someone on the other side of the world.
This writing is inspired by my earlier article Leadership Attention.
Image: Edwin Martinez from The Bronx – US Open 2013 Part 2 491
