In 1994, I was the starting Strong Safety for the Indianapolis Colts. In week one versus the Houston Oilers (Yes, I am that old that I played against a team that no longer exists… yikes!), I lead the Colts in tackles. I played a really good game. My career was off to a great start!
In week two, we played the Tampa bay Buccaneers in Tampa. Early in the game, I recognized the Bucs were running a play that I felt like I could stop. So I told my defensive back coach Pat Thomas that I could stop the play. I will never forget the words he said to me, “Derwin, take care of your responsibility. JUST DO YOUR JOB! DO NOT TRY TO STOP THE PLAY!”
As he was talking, I was not listening. If I could stop the play they were running, I could be the hero of the game.
I could get my name in the newspaper.
I could be on ESPN!
Notice how much I am using the word “I.”
So Tampa gets the ball. They run the same play that I thought I could stop. And “I” disobey my coach. And “I,” after the game, got my name in the newspaper. I even got on ESPN. Not because I was the hero of the game, but because I was the cost of the game.
My desire for “I” and my glory got in the way of what was best for the team or “us.”
I learned a painful leadership lesson that day. There is no “I” in team.
Leaders make decisions and sacrifice themselves for the good of the team.
As a husband and father, I must sacrifice “I” for the good of my family.
As a pastor, I must sacrifice “I” for the good of Transformation Church.
And the sacrifice I make doesn’t compare to reward of seeing lives made better. This is transformative leadership.
