Feb 2, 2009
Just read an article today about Michael Phelps the multi gold medal winning US swimmer. It seems that he was photographed at a party with a hash pipe, smoking… drugs. Ok, I know it’s not a big deal, an elite athlete, millionaire now, what’s a little puff between friends. I can tell you how BIG of a deal it is. He has now lost over 2 million dollars in corporate endorsements, with many more looking at contracts with a fine tooth comb… for a way out of their relationship.
I googled Michael Phelps today and found over 51,000 images relating to the story, 285,000 web links and a new Facebook group. What we do every day, in an instant can ruin a lifetime of hard work. I am always worried that I will make a mistake and be wrongly labeled or maybe properly labeled. What we do in today’s world is and can be placed on the internet so quickly that, like a tattoo, it can be hard and costly to remove. Take time today to think about what you say, do, how you act, who you associate with, where you find yourself and what situation you put yourself in. If you know that something you are going to do could cause you possible ramifications then maybe you should just say no… Think twice act once, it may cost you more then 2,000,000 dollars. Here’s a great question to ask yourself… “Is what I am about to do going to make me, my family, my current or future kids proud?” If not, maybe reconsider!
Side Note: I never add on to my blogs but I did want to add on a thought due to some of the comments. I want to be clear that I am not judging Mr. Phelps, we all make mistakes. What I am saying in 2009 we no longer can live as life care-free as we once did. One mistake can possibly be broadcast to the world almost immediately. It is important again to think twice and act once.
“It may take 30 years to build a reputation. It can take only 30 seconds to destroy it.”
- Jim Collins
Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership Learning and Growing on Feb 2, 2009 at 10:20 am | Permanent Link | Comments (4)
Comment posted on Feb 2, 2009 at 11:08 am by jessome (YLCC Member)
This seems to be running through my mind more and as I get closer and closer to becoming a teacher. I have friends in teacher’s college who use their first and middle name on facebook to avoid being “stalked” by their students during their practicums. This has even become quite a hard hitting workshop in the CIT program, teaching future staff about professionalism and demonstrating role model behaviour in all aspects of your life, not just when you know people are watching.
That being said, I don’t think it’s fair to condemn the man for one lapse in judgement. I admire his work ethic- he trained for a couple years without a single day off… I struggle to find time to do a pushup routine every other night. I’m not saying this mistake should be overlooked, but it doesn’t mean Michael Phelps is now a poor role model. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, let’s say this is his first (and hopefully last) encounter with drugs. He won his medals as a ‘clean’ competitor, and if asked about his experimentation today, I’d imagine he regrets his decision.
I think it’s important to recognize him for a human being that makes mistakes, rather than a superhuman swimming robot. Still though, I like your message today Stu; it’s all about integrity and being consistantly who you say you are, regardless of the situation. More than anything else, I think this exposure is a great learning tool for anyone who comes across this story. It’s a great reminder that someone’s always watching. Always.
Gret Blog Stu.
Jessome
Comment posted on Feb 3, 2009 at 11:39 am by Pamlamb (YLCC Member)
I just heard about this story and I agree with you Stu, we have to be careful of our actions and our consequences because like you said they can be just like a tattoo, hard to get rid of.
It’s unfortunate that he has lost so much money, and that he may loose even more. Although I also agree with Jessome, while I don’t condone that he did drugs, he has accomplished so much being dedicated to his work…and his life. A human does make mistakes, that’s what makes us human, it is how we deal with them, that truly shows us the character of a person. Someone is always watching and it is an important lesson to learn, although unfortunately it is a hard one.
Being someone who wants to be a teacher, and who works at YLCC, I am careful about what I put up on facebook and how I am when I am in party situations. It is important to know that what you do leaves a huge impression, good or bad. Let’s just hope that for Michael Phelps this is a one time deal, and he will rise above it!
PamLamb
Comment posted on Feb 4, 2009 at 7:55 am by Kaitlin (YLCC Guest)
I respectfully disagree, Stu. I really do not think that this one photo is going to ruin his “lifetime” of work. Bear in mind, he’s 23. He still has a few Olympics left in him, plus any pro level circuits, then he’ll go off and do commentary, or something else. Bear in mind, while he has lost over $2 million in endorsements, a lot of endorsements came leading up to and immediately following the Games in Beijing (CNN reports nearly $5 million in immediate endorsements in August 2008). With the next Olympics another 3 years away, one has to wonder if the twenty-four hour news cycle will have forgotten all about the incident? I imagine they will. Furthermore, a lot of his endorsements were also coming from China—the news sorucing in China is limited and I imagine that while we have access to 285,000 stories on Michael Phelps, the “security” of the State in China is such that no one has picked up on it over there. With the economy the way it is right now, a lot of companies are dropping their endorsements, and it’s not something that’s limited to Phelps, but rather the cause for his dropping is directly linked to the story, making it in and of itself a news story.
I’m not saying what he did was right or moral, and that’s not for any of us here to decide. In your eyes, or in Rich’s, it may have cost him a lot, but that’s how you see the value of what it cost him. Michael Phelps probably saw it differently, as do I.
Comment posted on Feb 6, 2009 at 9:40 am by Aaroneous (YLCC Member)
what a rough time for him - i get a sense of individuality from this photo. He may be stronger than i w ill ever be, but i guess i have a stronger sense of self and more awarenessof my connections (better infulences than he had at the time of this photo). Which affects his choice on “to do drugs” or “not to do drugs” dramatically.
you are who you have… coffee with.
- Robin Sharma
live to learn.
aaron