Lance Armstrong has demonstrated his unmatched athletic ability by winning seven consecutive Tour de France championships. His perseverance was critical to his success in cycling and is what people admire in Lance. People recognize the struggles involved with overcoming cancer, yet Lance never called himself a victim, he always referred to himself as a cancer survivor. Lance’s improbable comeback was inspiring and made people feel as though there is always hope and that they too can create their own comeback (Bandes, 2004).
Lance’s fight against cancer was a critical point in his life and his career. His recovery from cancer inspired the creation of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which was established prior to his successful return to professional cycling (Lance’s Bio, 2011). His foundation awarded its first research grant two years after he was diagnosed with cancer and as he began his comeback to cycling. More than ten years after the inception of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Foundation continues to raise millions of dollars, award numerous research grants, supports other cancer fighters and cancer survivors, among many other charitable endeavors (Lance’s Story, 2011).
A key to Lance’s success was his failure in his first year’s return to the Tour de France. His return to the Tour resulted in a stage struggle where he pulled off the roadside and failed to continue the remainder of the Tour. While many believe this was the end of his career, Lance used the opportunity to refocus his priorities and began his new relationship with cycling (Lance’s Bio, 2011). Lance had a unique ability to recognize that he was not quite ready and began the mental recovery that needed to be paired with his physical recovery to compete effectively. It is this self awareness that helped Lance in his success as he models dedication and constant improvement; Lance is a relentless leader who is leads by example.
References:
Bandes, J., LIVE STRONG;THEIR BANDS OF COURAGE, Clearwater Times, January 25th, 2004 Pg. 1
Lance’s Bio. (Feb 2011). Retrieved from http://www.lancearmstrong.com/
Lance's Story (Feb 2011) Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.org/Who-We-Are/Our-History/Lance-s-Story
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteOur leaders, Michael J. Fox and Lance Armstrong, have so much in common because of their struggles with health problems, starting a foundation, and making a comeback.
They also had similar failures if you look at their failure along the lines of setting a goal and not achieving that goal. I am sure that Lance's goal was to win that initial Tour de France after returning from battling cancer. Michael J. Fox also set a goal and was unable to achieve his initial goal of finding a cure for Parkinson's.
I believe that the leadership qualities of these two individuals have allowed them to get past failures, and use their "failure" as a way to achieve overall success.
Chuck,
ReplyDeleteI feel that Lance’s perseverance was not only crucial to his cycling success, but to his personal fight against cancer. He “once had 14 tumors in him and a 40% chance to live.” (Reilly, 2003)
He is a strong, yet inspirational leader and team player with an amazing positive attitude. Lance gave 100% of himself, but he also expected 100% in return.
He gives society hope that they, too, can overcome their own personal battles or failures, no matter how great or how small.
Even someone like Mark Zuckerberg can learn a great deal from Armstrong's life experiences.
Reilly, R. (2003, August 4). Si flashback: hurts so good. Retrieved from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/rick_reilly/06/30/flashback080403/index.html