PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Don't Fear Competition
5.12.02
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Transcript:
Sportscaster Frank Deford was a young reporter in the New York Yankees' locker room. He observed the legendary newspaper writer, Dick Young, interview a player. He saw Young shouting obscenities into the mike of a radio journalist, who was recording the player’s answers to Young’s insightful questions.
You see, Young was threatened by radio’s ability to now scoop him on his own work.
This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Competition is about striving for excellence. Dick Young didn’t lose out to radio. His reputation as an analytical sports writer grew as new markets opened to his writing. Don't fear competition; use it to make you even better—in the high calling of our daily work.
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
READER'S COMMENTS
The image of Dick Young screaming obscentities into the microphone of a radio reporter is hysterical. But what a metophor for life this radio spot is. As a society we are so afraid of what we don't know. Ignorance breads hostility and from hosility comes hate. Our racial tensions, religious intolerance and rich vs. poor struggles are all fueled by fear borne of ignornace. The spirit of unhealthy competition stokes the fires of hate. Our desire to dominate instead of cooperate hurts our chances of reconciliation. Jesus' clear message is to love God and love our neighbor. It is not dominate God and dominate your neighbor. When I find myself spouting sterotyipical comments about a group or individual I hope remembering this funny little story will help to remind me of my own ignorance and help me to pray for my own sense of love and understanding.
cogi 5/14/2002 1:21:24 PM