John S. Gordon - Business and Personal Coach

"You have the greatness and the power.  I just help you turn on the switch."

Welcome to Issue 300.  The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships. 

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What once seemed to be impossible is now a reality as the Great City of Kansas City prepares to host tomorrow night's game one of the World Series. Here are some of the underdog facts:

1. The Royals have failed to make the playoffs for 29 years, which is the longest drought in all of North America professional sports. [But now they have set a different kind of record by winning all of their first eight postseason games.]
2. Some of the players were castoffs; some just finished college a couple of months ago; some were demoted to the minor league for part of this season; one was struggling through his worst season of an otherwise successful career.
3. The Royals had the fewest home runs in the major leagues.
4. Kansas City is a small market Midwestern city with a team salary far less than the teams in the large eastern cities.
5. During the regular season, Manager Ned Yost was ridiculed by sports writers and his peers and was even called "The Dunce" by the New York Times [His critics have now retracted those statements].
6. There is no one or even two stars on the Royals. It is truly the efforts of the entire team.

In his article in the Kansas City Star last week, Rick Montgomery discussed the "Underdog Effect" and quotes sports psychologist Christian End, "People love the underdog story, it's about effort, it's about justice." He then refers to Rick Grieve, sports behaviorist on the faculty of Western Kentucky University, who has joined the "Royals Bandwagon". In discussing the underdog effect and the Royals player development program, Mr. Grieve says "by doing it the sort of pure way, developing young talent and being patient...people appreciate a little more the things in life that take time."

Mr. Montgomery discusses how many Americans relate to underdogs by working hard for many years at their job(s) just to pay bills. He also points out that as underdogs we can identify with the power of self-confidence, teamwork, and faith.

The surveys proved the underdog effect when 47 of the 50 states wanted the Royals to beat Baltimore in the ALCS. Tomorrow night marks the fourth time in three years that the San Francisco Giants have been in the World Series. So it's no surprise that these Royals (making their first appearance in 29 years) are the overwhelming favorites of America.

1. Do you feel like an underdog at your job?
2. Are there any other areas in your life that you feel like an underdog?
3. As a team leader do you recognize a member of your team as an underdog? If so, how can you motivate or coach that person to become highly successful (top dog)? 

As a professional coach, I am trained to help you or someone on your team become a top dog. Let's talk and explore those possibilities. Just give me a call at 816-213-0125.

"These underdog Royals not only evoke a better era in baseball but a better life in America. They represent a nation where... quiet self-sacrifice is still celebrated, teamwork will still win you something that money can never buy, and a relentlessly abiding faith in the future still can make even the craziest dream come true." Hampton Stevens, The Atlantic 

                   **John is currently accepting a few new coaching clients.**