I’ve had a pretty crazy few days, with a dash back from London to Melbourne for the Lions’ Preliminary Final at the MCG on Saturday night, before heading back to London on Sunday morning.
Why did I do it?
There were a couple of reasons. Prelims tend to be amazing games and, having had the great fortune to attend a solid number in recent years, they’ve pretty much all been incredible matches that have gone down to the wire.
This year there was also a personal element, with Brisbane playing Hawthorn, so the Reid Giles Cup was on the line!
But the words that really played in the back of my mind as I weighed up the decision were ones spoken by Leonie Swann, wife of then Lions CEO Greg, a number of years ago.
We were talking about whether a scheduling conflict was going to prevent me from attending a final. Leonie encouraged me to be there if it was at all possible.
One of the big lessons she’d learned from her years in the industry was never to take for granted that, if you missed an opportunity this year, you’d get a do-over the following year.
There are no guarantees in life - and particularly in sport - so if the opportunity presents itself and you can take it, do.
I did. And I’ve continued to make my decisions each finals season on that principle ever since.
But there’s a much wider business and leadership lesson in there too.
Don’t confuse inconvenient timing with a bad opportunity.
It’s very easy to tell ourselves, I’ll do it next time.
Next time, when things aren’t quite so busy.
Next time, when I’m better prepared.
Next time, when the circumstances are more convenient.
But there’s no guarantee that the opportunity will present itself again.
That doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. If the opportunity doesn’t align with your goals, values, risk appetite or priorities, saying no may absolutely be the right decision.
But if everything else is telling you it’s a good opportunity and the only thing holding you back is that the timing is inconvenient, think very carefully before you let it pass.
Ask yourself a different question:
If this opportunity never comes around again, how will I feel about having said no?
Sometimes the answer will still be no.
But sometimes that question gives you exactly the clarity you need to book the flight, rearrange the diary, take the meeting, make the investment - or simply show up.
So thank you, Leonie, for those wise words. They got me to the G on Saturday night to experience first-hand the atmosphere of what turned out to be one of the all-time great games.
And once again, they reminded me of something that extends well beyond football:
When the right opportunity presents itself, don’t wait for perfect timing. Seize the moment.
Responses