Gracious Even in Defeat

What does being gracious mean?

It is defined as being ‘pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous’. It is also about ‘being merciful and benevolent’.

I was reading an interview by Kevin Mackinnon on Ironman.com, and it highlighted Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack’s behavior and responses at the post-race conference. In particular, he focused on McCormack’s graciousness. Macca said very kind things about his opponents, despite his disappointment over his marathon performance and close margin of losing. However, both writer and champion triathlete gave credit where credit was due. That is one of the distinctive marks of a gentleman (and leader). Lose graciously – you can’t change the past. Sir Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln lost several times in the polls before they won their rightful seats in government.

On a national level, how gracious are we as citizens? Commuters on the Austrian public train systems observe an honour system. You pay, you use. Even if the conductor does not check you, you are expected to have paid for your seat. I’m sure there will be the occasional abuse, yet it is about self-monitoring and self-checking. Marathoners and triathletes do a series of checks throughout their races, so that they can complete the race safely and in reasonable time.

Leadership Lessons: Learn to accept your results. There is no failure, only results. Pick yourself up, and focus on the next project. Learn to be gracious. Ask: what can I learn from the guy who beat me? What will I do better and differently the next time?