Real recognizes real.  I have the privilege of interacting with some of the greatest Christian leaders in the world.  Many people reading this post also interact with some of the top individuals in their profession.  When we’re sitting across the table from these individuals, when we’re talking with them on Zoom of Skype, when we’re just hanging out with them in a social context, what is that we truly appreciate?  Real recognizes real.

Recently, Tiger Woods, one of the top five golfers in history (for my money #2), was asked to weigh in on the argument of who is the greatest basketball player of all-time – Michael Jordan or LeBron James?  His insights on the subject of greatness are brilliant!

The following are 15 Things Apex Leaders Appreciate In Other Apex Leaders I gleaned by Woods’s press conference shown above:

  1. Apex Leaders Appreciate Those Who Can Do Things Others Can’t Do – “Being great is doing something no one can do”
  2. Apex Leaders Appreciate Duration, Excellence Over A Long Period Of Time – “but also what separates those people, LeBron, MJ or (Wayne) Gretzky from other people, is just the duration.  They’re able to not just do it for one year, not just for one game, not just for  little spell, they’re able to do it for a number of years”
  3. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Do Memorable Things – “and accumulate highlights we will always look at.  They are peppered in our memories.”
  4. Apex Leaders Appreciate Those Who Separate Themselves From Other Leaders – “Every player in here can come out and blow away the field for one good week.  Great.  Can you do it for a month?  Can you do it for year?  OK, do it for a decade.  Do it for a decade plus.  Then start separating what is truly great.”
  5. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Continually Get Up For And Meet Challenges – “For what LeBron has done for 15 seasons now, it’s just remarkable.  Because it’s that type of longevity and be able to be up for that long period of time”
  6. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Continually Adjust – “and be able to adjust as well.  We all know as we age we’re not going to be as athletic as we used to be.  You have to do it different ways.”
  7. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Are Fluid – “To be fluid and adjust and still be that talented and that good, hat’s off to LeBron and the players I just named.”
  8. Apex Leaders Appreciate Different Ways To Succeed – “They’re both great in different ways.”
  9. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Do Many Things Well – “Look at MJ, he was a prolific scorer, played defense like no other, always first team on defense.”
  10. Apex Leaders Appreciate Those Who Learned From And Combined The Talents Of Many Different Leaders – “LeBron’s different.  He’s like a hybrid of MJ and Magic which is so different.”
  11. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Help Their Teams Succeed – “They’re very different in how they help both teams.”
  12. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Dominate – “MJ dominated the league he did.”
  13. Apex Leaders Appreciate Smart People – “He’s doing different than LeBron did it because of the nature of their body, their build, and their mental make-up.”
  14. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Win – “At the end of day, they both win.”
  15. Apex Leaders Appreciate Leaders Who Have Change The Way We See The World – “They’re just changing the game, how it’s played.  We didn’t know it could be played that way.”

What is one thing you learned from Tiger’s comments which will make you a better leader?

My new book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is now available for purchase.  If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you!  By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you.  This book is not to be read alone.  Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence.  Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.

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