Orkeys Auriene, B.S., M.S., PHD’s Post

Leading up to Game 7 of the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Stephen A. Smith made this outstanding observation about Anthony Edward's future and legacy, given the unique opportunity he had to "Cement What Greatness Is!" Like Kobe and MJ before him, threading the needle to achieving this next level of greatness involves three key feats: 💡 How you bounce back from failure 💡 How you perform in big moments (in "clutch time") 💡 How you perform against great competitors This relentless pursuit in my opinion is what separates great athletes, not necessarily the number of championship rings, athleticism, compensation, or even their likeness to prior greats. LESSONS FROM SPORTS THAT APPLY TO REAL LIFE ⤵ 🏈 Teamwork, trust, communication, and sub-specialization. ⚽ Competing between You vs. Previous You, chasing the best version of that re-invented self as possible. 🏀 Sportsmanship, empathy, and character. ⚾ Exercise and improving life/healthspan, confidence, and self-esteem. 🏒 Learning EQ and social skills like maintaining composure and empathy. 🏐 Reflective practice on failures and mistakes, with root cause analysis. 🎾 Being a role model/leader, setting examples/platforms to empower others. 🏅 Changing one's perspective towards the diversity of talents in the world. 🏓 Investment in oneself and others with intense focus, hard work, and patience through a lifelong pursuit of excellence, understanding that growth is not always linear and not always upward 🏏 Learning corporate skills like quick decision making, developing competency, handling pressure while remaining calm & composed, and time management. 🏅 Contribution and legacy to the game and to society, without feeling meek when surrounded by others' journeys differing from our own. These high EQ skills go beyond sports, and can apply to ANY industry or career journey! #leadership #sports #greatness #sportsmanship #emotionalintelligence #character #rolemodel #competition #legacy #excellence (Video Credit: InspiredbyHoops Video channel and commentary by Stephen A Smith) ♻ FEEL FREE TO REPOST ♻ 🔺 Sports Transformation Journey Group: https://lnkd.in/gnhnr8Yb ↗ Hardeep Phull MD | Cancer Doctor | Scientist | Pilot | LinkedIn Top Voice | Force Multiplier | Educator | Speaker | Travel Blogger | Girl Dad & Husband

🏈 A Different Side of Me: Coaching, Family, and a Humbling Experience I usually talk business here, but today I want to share something more personal—especially since many of you are new to my network. Now, I know the algorithm probably won’t push this post far since it’s about family and sports, but hey, let’s roll with it. For the past seven years, I’ve been coaching football, and this year I had the honor of being the Defensive Coordinator for the 7th-8th grade varsity team. It’s been a fantastic season for the Saints. We made it all the way to the Catholic League Championship, and we even got to play at Ford Field—what an unforgettable moment to share with my son! This was the first time since 1992 that the school made it to the championship game, making the experience even more surreal. One of the most meaningful moments for me came yesterday, during the eighth-graders' last hits. If you’ve never played football, the “last hit” is when players pick their favorite coach—the one who had the biggest impact on them, pushed them the hardest, or supported them the most—and they get one final chance to hit that coach. There are 16 eighth-graders on the team and 8 coaches, but I was humbled to be selected six times. Not every coach gets chosen, so to be picked that many times was an incredibly moving experience. It’s a reminder of how much influence we have on the young people we coach. Throughout this season, I found myself applying the same principles I teach these young athletes to my employees at work. Leadership, discipline, teamwork—it all connects. And truth be told, I’ve learned as much from these young men as I have from the people I lead in business. But today, it’s not about work—it’s about the amazing experience I had with my son and these young athletes, even though we didn’t get the win. How important do you think it is to coach or stay involved in your children’s activities? For me, it’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. #Leadership #Coaching #FamilyMatters #YouthSports #FordField #CatholicLeagueChampionship #LifeLessons #ParentingJourney

Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to support Sean Conway on a couple of occasions as he tackled his ambitious goal of completing a world record setting 105 Iron distance triathlons in 105 days. Leadership often means being alongside your team, supporting them through challenges. And most importantly, sometimes putting your own goals aside. As I ran with Sean, it reminded me of the power of presence—simply being there can boost morale and drive individuals to push beyond their limits – even though he is a far superior athlete to me. Leadership is about action. It’s one thing to give verbal encouragement; it’s another to show up and participate in the struggle. This experience was a profound reminder that our actions can inspire and uplift those around us. Supporting Sean’s goal helped me appreciate our shared commitment to achieving seemingly impossible feats. It’s much more than personal achievement, it’s about helping others realise their dreams. But this weekend is about my dream and my goal. I am taking on a bucket-list physical challenge. As the day approaches, I'm of course both nervous and excited. Training has been more than just physical endurance, it's also about mental preparation, learning to push beyond perceived limits, and understanding the deep resilience we all have within. As I get ready to lace up my shoes and set my sights on the path ahead, I am reminded of the incredible support and encouragement from friends, family, my coach and colleagues. This journey would be a lot tougher without them all. I'm ready to run not just for the finish line, but for every mile and milestone that has brought me to the start line. Whether it's through endurance sports or professional endeavours, the principles remain the same: prepare, show up, do your best, and push beyond the expected. I will let you know how it goes next week. #Leadership #Support #Endurance #LeadershipLessons

“The Myth of Natural Talent in Golf and Leadership: Lessons from Lee Trevino” Golf legend Lee Trevino once said, “There is no such thing as natural touch. Touch is something you create by hitting millions of golf balls.” This quote resonates far beyond the golf course, shedding light on a universal truth: success is earned through relentless practice and dedication, not innate talent. Whether you’re a golfer, a business leader, or someone striving to achieve personal growth, Trevino’s wisdom offers valuable lessons about the importance of perseverance, skill-building, and resilience. 1. The Illusion of Talent: In golf, we often admire players who seem to have a “natural swing.” In reality, their success is the result of countless hours on the driving range, perfecting every detail of their game. Similarly, in leadership or any profession, the “natural” ability to lead, innovate, or inspire is cultivated through learning, reflection, and experience. 2. Consistency Is the Key: Trevino’s career exemplifies how consistency and discipline outweigh sporadic bursts of brilliance. In the corporate world, consistency in decision-making, communication, and personal growth builds trust and long-term success. 3. The Role of Mentorship: Even the greatest golfers have coaches who guide them. Similarly, in the professional world, finding a mentor or being one can accelerate skill-building and inspire continuous improvement. 4. Resilience Through Repetition: Hitting millions of golf balls, as Trevino describes, isn’t easy—it requires enduring frustration, setbacks, and plateaus. But each swing brings a player closer to mastery. In life and work, resilience is built by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Lee Trevino’s message is clear: success is not about being “born with it.” It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and committing to lifelong learning. Whether you’re on the golf course or in the boardroom, the key to success lies in practice, persistence, and passion. How are you creating your “touch”? Whether it’s in your career, your hobbies, or your personal life, I’d love to hear how you approach growth and mastery. Share your thoughts in the comments below! #Leadership #GrowthMindset #GolfAndLife #PracticeMakesPerfect #golf #golfswing #golfindustry #thoughts

Right now in southern California there are a few hundred ocean paddlers training for what is known as the Catalina Classic. A 32 mile open ocean paddle between Catalina Island and Manhattan Beach. By all estimates, the paddlers will be in the water between 5 hrs and 45 minutes to 8 hours. 100 paddlers will qualify for the event. My son Tyler Garfield is one of these hopeful athletes. Tyler is training, building endurance, shifting his diet. He is developing a strategy. Planning for different ocean conditions and weather. He is putting together his team. The team will travel in a boat next to him. Each member of his team will have a specific role, based on their individual strengths. Tyler has asked both me and his brother Jared Garfield to be part of his team for this memorable day. Watching all of this unfold reminds me of the importance of leadership. 👓 Creating a vision for your organization and where you want to go. 🔐 Understanding the challenges ahead and planning for contingencies. 💪 Building a strong team you can trust, where everyone is accountable and knows their roles. 💯 Committing to the plan and all of the work needed to get there. Tyler’s goal this year is to finish the race. Deep down, I know it’s more than that. Just like any great leader. #leadership #coaching #transformation #positiveintelligence #mentalfitness #predictiveindex #coactive #team #highperformingteams

14 years ago today… On this day in 2010, I had the privilege of being part of a team that pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in FCS history—down 19-0, we came back to win the National Championship 20-19. 💪🏈 The lessons I learned from that game and from football in general have stuck with me ever since. It's amazing how much those moments—moments of struggle, perseverance, and success—translate into life beyond the field. Never Give Up: No matter how big the deficit, there’s always a chance to turn things around. Resilience is key. Put in the Work Every Day: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistency, focus, and grinding even when the results aren’t immediate. Delayed Gratification: The hard work you put in now will pay off down the road. It might not be instant, but the rewards come to those who put in the effort. Trust: Whether it’s in business, relationships, or coaching, trust is everything. You can accomplish incredible things when you trust your team and work together toward a common goal. Those lessons have been my foundation in business, parenting, relationships, and even coaching. Football didn’t just teach me how to play a game—it taught me how to approach life and strive for greatness no matter what obstacles come my way. Forever thankful for my 2010 National Champion family and the unforgettable journey we shared. #GoEags 🦅 #FCS #NationalChampion #Leadership #NeverGiveUp #TrustTheProcess #Teamwork #DelayedGratification #Business #Parenting #Relationships #Coaching

⚡ In sports, does playing it safe ever lead to greatness? ⚡ Success often comes to those willing to take calculated risks and embrace discomfort. The quote, “If you play it safe in life, you’ve decided that you don’t want to grow anymore,” reminds us that growth requires stepping outside of our comfort zones. Leaders who take bold actions and encourage their teams to do the same foster innovation and resilience. Playing it safe may feel secure, but it limits potential. True growth comes from embracing challenges and daring to fail in pursuit of something greater. Are you holding back in the name of safety, or are you stepping boldly into growth? What risk can you take today to push yourself and your team closer to success? ********** Are you a leader determined to drive your organization towards success? Invest in the growth and development of your people with our professional development training! 🌟💼 Join the ranks of industry-leading companies that have already benefited from our transformative training. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your most valuable asset - your people! Reach out to us today and let's embark on a journey of growth and achievement. 📞📧 https://lnkd.in/gfx7iMWq

Winning is abnormal. Especially in golf...but that's a topic for another post. 😜 Today, I'm not talking about winning sports where winning happens in every contest. Rather, I'm talking about winning in life and business relative to our potential. Most people, teams, and organizations are running way behind what's possible in terms of creating value, experiencing joy, and making a difference in the world. Most of us are not really winning - we're coasting or sitting snugly in the warm and comfortable little status quos that we've grown accustomed to. We accept the goals that are given to us, even if they lack clarity, connection, or meaning. According to the famous success author Napoleon Hill, about 98% of us are drifting. This needs to change... True winners have developed the ability to decide for themselves what's most important and they have the tenacity and commitment to get these things done—over and over and over again. They consistently demonstrate a high level of performance and an ability to do stuff that matters despite what sometimes seems to be an overwhelming whirlwind of opposition to personal and organizational improvement. To consistently win and create a winning culture in a team, a family, or any other type of organization we need to support each other as we move towards a compelling shared vision of the future. Together, we have to overcome four common challenges: fear of choosing, the tyranny of the urgent, disbelief in the power of scoreboards for stimulating optimal performance, and the tendency to give up too soon. [More to come...] The world needs more winning! Let's unite as a community, share our exciting journeys, and lift each other higher. Together, we can create a world where winning is a way of life! Who’s with me? 💪❤️ #WinningCulture #Teamwork #MakeADifference #Effectiveness #TheChangeModel

Basketball and life are similar. Both have moments of fascinating performances and flashy action. However, it’s the fundamentals that make the most impact long-term. Why do we not focus more on the fundamentals? Maybe it’s a lack of interest? Let’s face it, working on fundamentals is not exciting. It does not get you the eyeballs or engagement that say a slam dunk or closing a big sale does. Maybe it’s a lack of understanding? We are so conditioned to take the fast lane even when the fast lane causes us to fall flat on our face. It’s not the acceptable method to take the longer path that requires consistent actions daily. Yet, we can point to example after example of consistent hard work leading to a big pay off. Think about one of the ultimate competitors, Michael Jordan. He started his NBA career in 1984 and didn’t win his first championship until 1991. There were many failures along the way but he worked extremely hard on the fundamentals such as getting stronger, getting better defensively, improving his shot, and getting better at involving his teammates. This little things (fundamentals) lead to the big thing (championships). Fundamentals are the foundation for the long-term growth and achievement. For organizations to grow consistently, it’s important for leaders to focus teams on the fundamentals. How are you working on the fundamentals? #fundamentals #work #consistency #PursueWithPurpose

🏌️♂️ As I walked the fairway today, I couldn't help but draw parallels between golf and the professional journey we all undertake. In golf, as in our careers, every shot counts, and the path to the hole isn’t always straight. It often requires strategic planning, adaptability, and resilience to endure rough patches. Navigating a challenging golf course teaches us the importance of focusing on the goal, no matter the obstacles. Each stroke teaches patience, precision, and how to take calculated risks—skills that are equally valuable off the course. Whether you're lining up for a putt or planning your next career move, remember, it's not just about strength; it’s about strategy and vision. Here’s to embracing the challenges and opportunities ahead, both on and off the green! #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #Persistence