You Are More

Being the leader of a group or organization is something you do, but you are more! You are a parent, lover, cousin, sibling, friend, and more! We often allow the things we do to define us, rather than for good or bad.

During a 2018 interview, journalist Laura Ingraham tried to rebuke LeBron James for "talking politics" something the host of Fox News felt is out of reach for an athlete. Ingraham went on to say she was not interested in the political advice of someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball." "Shut up and dribble," remarked Laura Ingraham in response to LeBron James' remarks criticizing President Donald Trump.

The sports world was waiting for James' reaction to Ingraham's “shut up and dribble” statements. Finally, on February 16, 2018, the response from James was a quiet, yet powerful message. The phrase "I Am More Than An Athlete" was published in a single Instagram post, and James captioned the post by simply saying, "#WeWillNotShutUpAndDribble."

Although it's been 146 weeks since that post, which already has 1,494,216 likes on Instagram, there’s a lesson here that I think we cannot afford to overlook.

If I asked - who is LeBron James? you may be inclined to say that he is arguably one of the greatest professional basketball players, However, that isn't who he is, that's what he does.

If I asked - who is Dwayne Johnson? You may say he is an actor or you may say he is a former WWE wrestler. However, that isn't who he is, it's just what he does or has done.

Likewise, if I ask someone who you are, they may say you are a leader. However, being the leader of a group or organization is something you do, but you are more! You are a parent, lover, cousin, sibling, friend, and more! We often allow the things we do to define us, rather than for good or bad.

Without even thinking about it, often we attributed our name to a profession—or even a specific task or position in an organization. It's all too tempting to restrict how you think about yourself based upon the achievements made within your career. However, much like a resume, all of those accomplishments tell only half the story of who you are.

There's more than meets the eye

In season 1 episode 2 of Family Matters, the Winslow find themselves making drastic cuts as Harriette loses her job. Harriette Winslow worked as an elevator operator in The Chicago Chronicle. After being an elevator operator for some time, Carol encourages her to ask for a raise. That afternoon Harriette comes home with the news that she didn't get a raise, but rather a pink slip

After looking for a job she realized that The Chicago Chronicle has an available position as head of the Chronicle Security Officer. While she needs a new job, she is concerned they will reject her application as the job requires managerial experience. On paper, Harriette has none, but Carl encourages her to apply. What happened next is a beautiful interaction between Harriette and her former boss, who while interviewing her for a new position, doubts her ability to compete with the requirements of the head of the Chronicle Security Officer.

What happens next is Harriette’s version of “more than an athlete”. She points out how she is married and is a mother. Those positions require the ability to manage emotions, delegate responsibility, oversee the completion of tasks, etc. She brings to light how she indeed has the ability and then some to complete what the position requires. 

You are more than the decision you have made, rather good or bad. You are more than the position you hold at your current place of employment. Regardless of what title you see on your office door, name tag, or cubical, you are more. And we, just as LeBron did in 2018, should develop a more than a _______ campaign to bring awareness that we are not human doings, but rather human beings.