In the movie “Air”, Matt Damon’s character Sonny Vaccaro gives a powerful and emotional ad-lib to Michael Jordan to convince him that he should sign with Nike. The quote “A Shoe is Just a Shoe Till Someone Steps in It” refers to the Nike Air Jordan sneaker (and the competing sneaker offerings from Converse and Adidas) and the selling point that it would be the sneaker designed around Michael Jordan. It worked..and the rest is history! Nike and Jordan both represent underdogs and their story is a great teacher for why being an underdog can be a winning strategy.
Prompt: A Nike Sneaker that is colorful and features the Air Jordan logo
Underestimating the underdogs can be a costly mistake. It's easy to dismiss them as insignificant or unimportant, but history has shown time and time again that they can surprise us. When we underestimate our opponents, we become complacent and lose our edge. On the other hand, when we take them seriously, we are more alert and better prepared. This is especially true in sports, where underdogs have a way of pulling off upsets and defying the odds. In the case of the Nike Air Jordan sneaker, it was an underdog that ultimately prevailed over the established sneaker brands. So, beware the underdogs - they may just surprise you.
Prompt: A feisty puppy among other big dogs, chibi style
Being an underdog can actually be an advantage in many cases. When you're not expected to win, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It can give you the freedom to take risks and try new things, without the pressure of living up to expectations. This can lead to innovation and creativity that might not be possible when you're playing it safe. Additionally, being an underdog can motivate you to work harder and prove yourself. When you have something to prove, you're more likely to be focused and driven. So, embrace the underdog mentality - it might just be the key to your success.
<aside> 💭 Throughout my career, I have taken on many challenging roles and situations where I was the underdog. Whether it was introducing new ideas, technologies, ways of working, or persuading executives to be more daring and drive change, I have always been willing to go against the flow of the organization.
Taking risks and achieving what was once thought impossible is a thrill that I now relish. I have learned to inspire those around me, embrace the underdog mentality (especially when leading a young or small organization), and with unwavering determination, demonstrate that there is always a better way to do things if you’re will to take a risk and try something different.
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These principles are also featured in the Air movie. They resonate with me from a leadership perspective.
Michael Jordan is one of my personal heroes. I am fortunate to have grown up in the era when Jordan began his NBA career and led the Chicago Bulls to so many victories and championships. It was a great time for the game of basketball. When Jordan resigned, I stopped watching basketball! He is the absolute G.O.A.T! ⛹🏾♂️
I highly recommend Air for fans of Nike, Michael Jordan, Basketball and Matt Damon+Ben Affleck. It’s also a great movie about business strategy, leadership, risks and rewards and also knowing one’s self worth.