Terminal Cancer Isn’t Distracting Super Bowl Coach Bruce DeHaven
Would you show up for work if you knew you were dying of cancer?
Special team’s coach Bruce DeHaven of the Carolina Panthers didn’t miss a practice all season, even though he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, before the football season began.
Perhaps, if you needed the money, you would show up till the bitter end. But, it’s love, not money that’s motivating coach DeHaven. When asked why he’s still coaching, Bruce said,
“In the end, I wanted to coach. I just love coaching.”
Fulfillment is found in “want to,” never “have to.”
Beatles:
The Beatles were right when they sang, “I don’t care too much for money, for money can’t buy me love.” Fear might force compliance, but performance rooted in love can’t be bought.
- Love – for something outside yourself – makes you remarkable. Coach DeHaven doesn’t like talking about his cancer. “It should be about those guys and everything they have done,” speaking of his players.
- Love lifts a job from work to calling.
- Love inspires. Hatred might motivate action, but love ignites your soul.
Love is expressed when you serve the best interests of others.
Where is your love:
You find your purpose when you love.
- How are you serving the best interest of your organization, product, or service?
- What do you love about your work?
- What do you love about serving your team?
Everyone does things they don’t love. Never allow things you don’t love to overshadow things you love. Focus on things you love, even when you’re doing things you don’t.
Where is their love:
- Ask your teammates the same “love questions” I encouraged you to ask yourself.
- What would you do, even if you didn’t have to?
- What would you do for free?
Give your heart, if you expect those around you to give theirs.
What prevents leaders from leveraging the power of love?
How might leaders help teammates connect with things they love?
Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/panthers-coach-wont-let-cancer-keep-him-from-super-bowl-50/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2R_mYfTE8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR6dWmGMDzs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ugkk0oQ5M
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/02/05/nfl-super-bowl-50-carolina-panthers-bruce-dehaven
Dear Dan,
Thank you for this wonderful post! It reminds me of Steve Jobs graduation speech in 2005: “You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
-Paul
Thanks Paul. You quote Jobs, “And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” … Man that is powerful. We hear a lot about Jobs being an ass. This statement needs to be posted all over the Internet.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do…!!!
I’m glad you joined the conversation.
Great post -thanks
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks Victoria.
When you stop “loving what your doing” it’s time to move on. For the coach, having watched his interview today, was “he loves to teach” , similar to you, there is that “burning desire to help others”. Amen to the coach, may he continue on his journey!
Thanks Tim. It was that interview on CBS that got me thinking. I went to YouTube and found more, but I’m thankful for a positive story by a major news network.
Me too, Cheers
This is quite inspirational. Thanks a bunch Dan to write on this.
Thanks Nirav.
Well, I quit the corporate world to become an advisor to small companies, and to follow my passion of photography and writing. People think I am semi-retired…. But, I am not!