“…’cause you don’t talk to the water boy, and there’s so much you could learn but you don’t want to know
You will not back up an inch ever, that’s why you will not survive
The thing that I tell you now — it may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op in the way that I spell it out
But you won’t hear from the messenger, don’t wanna know ’bout something that you don’t understand
You got no fear of the underdog, that’s why you will not survive!”
– Lyric from “The Underdog” by Austin, TX’s own, Spoon
Honoring the “little people,” encouraging the messengers, being willing to back down and seeking to learn something about what we don’t understand.
Vulnerability. Key to survival.
When we stop learning, we stop making a difference. When we stop to realize that without the water boy, even Michael Jordan would have cramped up and keeled over, we become a better teammate or team captain. When we back down, we allow others to step up. And, when we explore something we don’t understand — we grow from within and we expand our horizons.
Spoon is a great band. Austin is right to be proud of and fired up by their hometown group. (By the way, you can also check out The Refreshments — another ATX iconic band and one of my four favorites of all time, but I digress.) Now, where was I? Oh, yes….Spoon is a great band. And this song delivers a great lesson.
We will not survive if we think we have all the answers, if we believe we’re all that matters and if we never back down.
Listen. Understand. Survive. Thrive. Make a difference.
Jim Ghiglieri says
I love this post. Establishing relationships with the lowest levels of an association has always been more important and rewarding than establishing relationships at the highest levels. For me, the CEO is easy. They are accessible and want to meet and talk to me. But the work gets done down the line and when we need a little special something, the folks down the line are the people that can make it happen.
Steve Heston says
Well said, Jim! Together. Next. The two most important words in business