Were You Ever Underestimated?
I am a huge fan of the sports comedy-drama television series Ted Lasso. Ted is an American football coach who excels at inspiring people to find the best in themselves. Now managing a British football team in the U.K, he treats everyone with respect and dignity and does the right thing, even when no one is watching.
While the show is filled with wonderful life lessons, one of my favorites is when Ted and the vindictive former owner of the team place a significant wager on a game of darts. Prior to the game, his opponent asked Ted if he likes darts. When Ted responded that "they’re okay,” the opponent inferred that Ted was a novice dart player.
Instead, taking his final turn at the board, Ted shares the following lesson ...
Guys have underestimated me my entire life and for years I never understood why – it used to really bother me. Then one day I was driving my little boy to school, and I saw a quote by Walt Whitman painted on the wall and it said, ‘"Be curious, not judgmental." I like that. (Ted throws a dart)
So, I get back in my car and I'm driving to work and all of a sudden it hits me - - all them fellas that used to belittle me, not a single one of them was curious. You know, they thought they had everything all figured out, so they judged everything, and they judged everyone. And I realized that their underestimating me had nothing to do with it. Because if they were curious, they would've asked questions. Questions like, "Have you played a lot of darts Ted?" (Ted throws another dart) To which I would have answered, "Yes sir. Every Sunday afternoon at a sports bar with my father from age ten until I was 16 when he passed away." Barbecue sauce. (Ted throws a double bull's eye to win the game)
ASK QUESTIONS! BE CURIOUS NOT JUDGEMENTAL!
This Week's Focus:
This week, don't make the mistake of making assumptions and judging without asking clarifying questions. Be curious and ask lots of questions!
Click on the serenity sticky to print, cut and post on your bathroom mirror to remind you of this week's focus. Good luck!
