On some weekends, my husband, Bob, and I treat ourselves to watching a movie borrowed from the local library. In his younger days, Bob earned his black belt in Taekwondo, so he enjoys movies with good fight scenes. I had never seen the original Rocky movie starring Sylvester Stallone and Bob thought I was missing out by not learning from a good classic movie that is ingrained into our culture. So that’s how we came to watch Rocky last weekend.
The lead character, Rocky Balboa, aka “the Italian Stallion,” is an average guy living in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. He eeks out a living on the streets helping mobsters call in their debts. Although he dislikes the job, he doesn’t think he has the talent to do anything else. After all, his mother had told him in his youth that he didn’t have many brains, so he had better use his brawn. Rocky is also an amateur boxer whose earnings barely cover the expenses. His life is going nowhere. He feels like a nobody, and that’s reinforced by many of those in the neighborhood who mock him. It’s only when he wins a boxing match that he feels good about himself.
In an incredible twist of fate, (you’ll have to watch the movie for the details), Rocky finds himself chosen to fight the world heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed, for a very longshot chance at the title. The night before the big fight, Rocky confesses to his girlfriend that he knows he can’t beat the Champion, but that he’s going to give it all he has to “go the distance” with the Champion in the ring. Going the distance, in this case, meant engaging in all 15 rounds without being knocked out or giving up.
When the match starts, the viewer is rooting hard for Rocky, the underdog. He shouldn’t have lasted long against the Champion, but to the audience’s surprise and delight he does last and even lands some decisive hits. The viewer really wants to see Rocky win. But… he doesn’t. He goes the distance for all 15 rounds, but in a split decision, the judges declare the reigning champion, Apollo Creed, the winner. I was so disappointed! I turned to my husband and exclaimed, “Why didn’t he win? Wasn’t he supposed to win?” Bob just smiled and replied, “He won for himself by going the distance.”
What a lesson! Maybe coming in first place in the race or winning the contest or competition isn’t everything. Perhaps the real victory is in giving it everything you have, persevering, and never giving up on yourself or others. Back to the movie. After the fight finished the crowd went wild and so did Rocky. He acted like he had won, like he was the champion. And he was a champion. He never gave up. He demonstrated true grit. He had achieved victory and “won for himself” in going the distance against all odds. That’s what really mattered to the audience and to Rocky. And, after watching the movie, I realize that’s what matters most to me, too.
Look in the mirror: What does “going the distance” look like to you in your work and life?
Please join me again next week for more on Leading with Character.
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