Closing Credits

Three things caught my attention recently.

1) The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Championship and owner Mark Cuban let original owner Donald Carter accept the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.

2) Newt Gingrich’s entire campaign staff quit gaining much national attention.

3) I sat and watched the closing credits of X-Men: First Class.

So you’re probably thinking, what does this have to do with anything?

As I sat in the theatre and read hundreds if not thousands of names during the X-Men credits, I couldn’t help but think, “wow, a lot of people worked on this.” As much attention as James McAvoy & Michael Fassbender are gaining for their great portrayals of Professor Xavier & Magnetto, hundreds if not thousands supported the film that made this happen. They wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

Newt Gingrich, although recognized as one of the great minds of the Republican Party, is unlikely to capture the nomination for President simply because he no longer has a cast of hundreds supporting him. Those closest to him in his campaign at this point in time have all resigned. Whatever reason it might be, all the brilliance in the world won’t help if their isn’t a team in the background.

Mark Cuban was known for being vocal if not overly vocal as an owner. He was flashy and constantly in the spotlight. But then there was this championship run where he remained incredibly silent. During the moment of triumph, he allowed the original owner, the man who helped create the Mavericks, come and receive that first award. There was a great deal of POSITIVE publicity about this act.

So the lessons?

No one can do it all on their own.

Great success is often a team effort.

We must recognize those who have come before us.

It’s that simple.

There is a huge cast of characters that helped shape me into the person and speaker that I am today. That list includes (but in no way is limited to): Mom & Dad, Dave, Jane, Mary, Grandma & Grandpa, Great Grandma, Grammy, Jim, Chad, Don, Dick, Alice, Bruce, Phil, Sue, Tara, Jim, Judith, Marek, Larry, Erik, Michelle, Christine, Michelle, Sally, Polly, John, Robby, Molly, Katherine, Ashlee, David, Ross, Wil, Will, Carol, Jeff, Liz, Gary, Craig, Stan, Mike, Dave, Jason, Josh, Jonathan, Glenn, Collin, Mike, Phil, Scott, Stu, Norm, Mike, Grant, Brendon, Ed, Patrick, Hayley, Cara, Jill, Sandi, Sandy, Don, Terri, Micah, Carolyn, MaryBeth, Chris, Mary Jane, Janet, Paul, Suzi, Patty, Tracy, Jennifer, Erin, Jenni, Matt, Scott, Dave, Charlie, Joe, Jeff, Scott, Kevin, Rob, Darrin, Courtney, Ben, Bob, Matt, Steve, Andrew, Andy, Bonnie, Shannon, Cori, Dustin, Brett, Paris, Tiffany, Anne, Nancy, Kindra, Doug, Steve, Kurt, Mike, Kristi, Tonya, Sharon, Kathleen, Victor, Matt, Dave, and many, many, MANY more. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Who is on your credits list?

Don’t forget to check out Patrick’s Summer School 2011.