I feel for John Skipper, former ESPN chief. It’s hard not to, in some capacity, when you see someone’s life work unplugged and unravelled. But here is where my mind goes after reading his fall-from-grace story – he was not alone.
I grew up watching ESPN and I know a lot of what I came to love about the ESPN brand and sports was a direct result of John’s efforts and passion.
As a professional, I also had the privilege of working with ESPN on numerous occasions with NASCAR, NHRA, B.A.S.S., and other sports properties. I can tell you that the people who worked there reflected John’s attitude and vision – they were first-class people.
Now, I also believe that we make and must stand by our choices. And, like John, we are not alone.
In racing, we have spotters. These people have an elevated perspective of the race track and tell drivers what is happening in their blind spots and how to navigate through wrecks happening ahead of or around them. There is a remarkably high level of trust between drivers and their spotters to ensure their safety and ultimately their success – as a team.
I don’t know who John’s spotters were in his years of cocaine addiction, or if they tried to help and he ignored them. But I can’t believe he was alone.
Can we learn from this?
Yes. Who are your spotters?
Who are the small group of people in your life that are looking out for you? The ones to tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. We may not like what they have to say, but if they are trusted, then we know from where their words are coming – and we need to listen.
So, who are they? Can you rattle off their names right now? Do they even know that you consider them your spotters? Who are you a spotter for in your life?
We are all in this journey together and need each other to have our backs when we are operating in our blind spots.
Career stage does not matter. Life stage does not matter either. We all need spotters and they need to know that we need them to shoot straight with us and that we will listen!
John, I have no doubt you will rebound from this and be stronger than before!