Sachin Tendulkar – Salute to the Champion of Champions

We have all been subjected to a wish fulfillment followed by a media frenzy. No, I am not talking about the fiascos abounding in the political world or the fact that Delhi has better (cooler) summers. This is about the great Sachin Tendulkar and his 100th hundred sometime back.

For all of us who follow cricket, I don’t have to explain what it means. For those who don’t, let me just say he is the GOD of cricket. Greats of the game have around half that number!

While we have all celebrated, I thought it would be good to just sit back and see if we could learn something from Sachin’s life and career.

Here is a random list of things that was pulled based on what my children said they liked about Sachin. I have tried to draw some lessons for mere mortals like us.

The wait for the 100th Hundred

Sachin Tendulkar waited for more than a year for this one to happen. When he finally did get it, India lost the match.

His fan following of more than a billion was expecting it to happen, every time he walked out to the park.

For a man with such immense talent and dedication, this was baffling. Sachin himself mentioned that he felt about 5kgs lighter after getting the 100th one.

What can we learn?

However good you are, the past does not count for what you are doing now. It’s okay to feel the pressure, it’s okay to hit roadblocks, it’s okay to have nothing go your way. These things will happen.

The true champions continue to give their best.They don’t wilt but believe in doing the right things each day. The results will happen when they have to.

A champion does not let external impediments become excuses; rather they accept these as challenges and find a way to get around them.

The double century at Sydney

This was a series where Sachin Tendulkar wasn’t scoring as he is used to. He was getting out on the offside and this for a player who is considered the best in that area (not that he is weak in any other!).

Sachin played with a determination that has to be admired. He scored 200 without hitting a single stroke through his favorite area on the off side. Truly phenomenal control of the mind and the body.

What can we learn?

Even the greatest will have their strengths tested. Very often we find that the strengths/traits that have worked for us always are not working anymore. It’s time to step back and fix it.

Resting on the past and hoping for the best, is not what champions do. They fix problems even if it means playing outside their comfort zone. This is a critical trait when you look at your careers. The skills that got you success in the past remain important but be prepared to deal with changes in your personality, moods, environment.

The accidental chance to open the innings

Sachin Tendulkar had always been a middle order player. Playing at number 4 he had scored his best runs and was inducted in the Indian team to play in the middle order.

For the uninitiated, playing at number 4 versus as an opener is a sea change in batting technique and temperament. India was in New Zealand and Sachin was given the chance to open the innings in a limited overs match. He scored a ton and at this point 50% of his runs have come in that format and as an opener for India.

What can we learn?

Back your strengths. Have confidence in your ability to pick up challenges and give it your best shot. You will get chances to do things which are not “usual” or not part of your job profile.

They could be high-visibility and fraught with the risk of making you look like an idiot if you don’t click, but if they come off, the world will be at your feet. You would have explored beyond your known boundaries—and won!

There is another lesson here as leaders. You will find great talent and sometime spot strengths that the individual himself is not aware of. Take a risk. You might just create a Sachin!

Dream Big

Sachin Tendulkar played for 20 years before he fulfilled his dream of being a world cup winner. By then he had all the batting records we can think of but he stayed focused. At the age of 38 he was still a good enough fielder to not have that as a detriment to his selection.

He changed his game to suit his roles in the team, he stayed focused. As he himself said, dreams come true.

What can we learn?

Simply put: stay hungry. Keep working towards that one thing you dream of. Make sure the process is right, don’t look for shortcuts and don’t lose heart at failures. If you are good (and trust me nothing we do in day-to-day life is rocket science!), and are willing to work hard and learn, you will get what you deserve. Nobody can keep a good man down!

The tryst with captaincy

For a very remarkable career as a batsman, and for somebody who understands every nuance of the game, Sachin does not have a very great record as a captain. He had the modesty to step away from it when he realized it was not his strength.

He played under captains who were younger, much less-talented than him and sometimes a tad disrespectful to him as well. But he continued to bring value in whatever role he was assigned. True he had his preferences but the team came first for him—always!

What can we learn from the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar – “Champion of Champions”

Be modest and honest. Understand when it’s beyond you. Give somebody else a chance. When you are no longer the leader (and it’s tough to be in the same group as a team member rather than as a leader) be professional. Bring value. Give to the team what you expected from them as a leader: full honesty and commitment.

These are the top 5 that came to mind. There are many others you may recall and I am eager and happy to hear more from you. I will round off this piece with two final comments.

First – In each of the above, the lesson is for both as an individual and also as a leader of teams.

Second – Probably more important than anything else is the modesty of the man. If a man of Sachin’s stature and achievements can stay modest then I am sure none of us have the right to feel complacent about what we have done in our lives.

Take a moment to thank people who have helped you achieve success in life. Remember we are only a reflection of what people around us do for us. Our teams make us look good.

They are ones who work very hard while as leaders we get to go on the podium to take the trophy. Remember to say your thank yous and stay hungry for more. And finally BE MODEST.