Performance Cred

I watched a sports documentary the other day about the baseball pitcher’s rehab from injury back to the Major Leagues. In it included some whacky training from a guru who took a little too much credit for this young man’s success for my liking. This phenomenon happens often.

Pick your favorite high level performance and you’ll likely find people tangent to these performances sticking their hands things and looking for credit. These pseudo leaders who lack skin in the game often make a living posturing as a guide to the elites. Meanwhile they are taking credit for performance that isn’t theirs to begin with.

Celebrity trainers are quick to declare their job title as “celebrity trainer” as if they made Kate Moss beautiful. Daily ice cream and napping would also make Kate Moss beautiful. Similarly, guiding Dwyane Wade through some Bulgarian split squats isn’t what makes him an NBA All-Star. From Hollywood to Major League Baseball and beyond, you’d be surprised at how ineffective those who hang around elite performers can be.

What’s in this message for you? If you’re an authority offering your services to support someone else’s performance, humble yourself. The performer owns their success alone. If you’re a performer yourself, bask in the truth that you are the captain of your fate. Your success may be supported, but it’s your own skin-in-the-game effort that you have to thank for your success.

Logan Gelbrich

@functionalcoach