Tweet

Difference Makers Have Courage

Written by: Zig Ziglar

Article Overview: When Jackie Robinson was brought to the major leagues by Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, he was the first African-American to play major league ball. At that point, Mr. Rickey carefully explained to him that he would have thousands of chances to lose his temper and get upset because of the overt racism that existed in the major leagues at that time. He warned him about the hate-mail and boos he would get because many of the white players and fans would be adamantly opposed to his presence in the major leagues.

Difference Makers Have Courage

When Jackie Robinson was brought to the major leagues by Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, he was the first African-American to play major league ball. At that point, Mr. Rickey carefully explained to him that he would have thousands of chances to lose his temper and get upset because of the overt racism that existed in the major leagues at that time. He warned him about the hate-mail and boos he would get because many of the white players and fans would be adamantly opposed to his presence in the major leagues.

Jackie Robinson was an intense competitor. He was also a man of considerable pride, who gave everything his best effort. He wanted to win every game he played and his athletic skills were substantial. However, like all great athletes, he had his "off days." On one of "those" days everything was going wrong for him. He made some bad throws, booted some grounders and struck out at the plate. The boos and the catcalls got louder and louder. At a critical moment, after Jackie had booted yet another play, Pee Wee Reese, the captain of the Dodgers, walked up to Jackie and put his arm around him. The crowd grew quiet. What they had just seen was enough to silence anyone. Reese was saying, "This is my teammate. He's a fellow Dodger and I have respect and admiration as well as affection for him." Later, Jackie said that was a huge milestone in his major league career.

Somebody once said, "It's never too soon to do a good turn." In that particular case it made a major difference for Jackie Robinson. He certainly felt good about it, but I'm confident Pee Wee Reese felt even better than he did. It is true that others can give you pleasure but you will never be really happy until you do something for someone else. Branch Rickey, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson were positive difference-makers. You, too, can be a positive difference-maker if you will give some "hand-ups" and not just "hand-outs." Buy that approach to life and I will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Related Articles
  The Rise and Rise of Difference Makers
  Do you have the Courage to ASK?
  The Best Way to Market to Business
  How to deal with Overwhelm
  Popular Internet Money Makers

Article Tags: admiration, best effort, boos, branch rickey, brooklyn dodgers, catcalls, critical moment, dodger, grounders, hate mail, intense competitor, jackie robinson, league career, major league, milestone, one of those days, overt racism, pee wee reese, teammate, ups



Related Forum Posts
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Courage
Re: Ladies Who Launch Profiles - What a truly amazing lady! Thanks for posting this ideasuniverity, it had me hooked from beginning to end and then I had to go and look at the website. The words "Courage is not a gift, courage is a decision" really make you think. Take care, Carol


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Work Life Balance: Adding White Space

Resistance to Change and How to Deal With It

Ten Twitter Tips For Work-at-Home Moms

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.