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The Steelers – A Memory of What’s Important
The Steelers were knock-knock-knocking on seven’s door for Super
Bowl XLV and The Steeler Nation was out in force. Thousands
witnessed the blocks and tackles live from the stands in Arlington, TX.
Hundreds of thousands twirled Terrible Towels in the living rooms of
their western Pennsylvania homes. And millions across the globe for
four short hours cheered at their televisions in any number of regional
and international accents with Pittsburgh Pride.
How is it that one team has the breadth of fans rivaled by no other? And
how do we capture that magic and transfer it to our businesses, lives
and relationships? Certainly the Steeler’s ownership has a long
standing regal heritage of respect in this town. No cheerleaders or fluff
– only the game is important in Pittsburgh. People who were born here
branch out for a few years and then seem to home back to the
familiarity of the hilly terrain, snowmageddon winters and 60 days of
sun. But wherever they go, they remain Steelers fans. Weather and
topography can’t be what lures them back – local dignity is more
important. I’ve never heard anyone who is from here refer to Pittsburgh
in a derogatory way. Only outsiders. And not so much anymore
because The Steeler Nation has earned equity across the country.
The steel industry laid a foundation in Pittsburgh from the late 1800s
into the 1970s of hard work and dedication that drew generations of
people from eastern European and other countries to come here for
prosperity. Early on they worked 363 days a year on 12 hour shifts,
living in housing without plumbing to have freedom and autonomy.
They were happy.
My father did not work in the mill. But his patients did. And my friends’
fathers did. Some of my friends had summer jobs there. Everyone
knew when the mill whistles blew that the dad’s were coming home.
Dinner was early back then because the men came home hungry. On
Sunday’s when I was a little girl not all of the Steeler games were on
TV. So we listened on the radio to Franco’s Immaculate Reception.
That’s what’s important – the memories of a team that endured a rise
and decline of one of the greatest industries of this country and whose
work ethic transcends it all with benchmarks that we hold dear. My dad
was at Three Rivers Stadium with three of his friends on a subzero day
holding a steaming cup of coffee when Franco reached out and
grabbed that ball. When he tells the story it still gives us chills. When
he gave the black and gold knitted hat he wore that day to my son this
year for his 18th birthday, it made everyone swallow hard.
So when the noise of Cowboy Stadium erupted that Sunday like the call
of a mill whistle at 3:00 o’clock and Terrible Towels started twirling like
smoke from a blast furnace we were reminded that what is important
is not whether or not we have on a Steeler Jersey or got tickets to
Dallas. What is important is the people we are with, the memories that
bring us together, and that commitment and perseverance bring
reward. That’s what gets you a little closer to heaven’s door. Go
Steelers!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee Gannon on
Facebook via her name and on Twitter at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee's free tip sheets on “Be Yourself, Everyone else is Already
Taken" and "Emotional Intelligence" at the Articles and Tips Page.
Mary Lee Gannon is the president of Gannon Group - a full service
executive coaching, training and consulting firm that provides
turnaround strategies for people and organizations by improving team
performance, executive leadership skills, board performance, planning
and project execution. Mary Lee’s personal turnaround came as a stay-
at-home mother, with four children under seven-years-old, who
endured a divorce that took she and the children from the country club
life to public assistance from where within a short time she worked out
of that to the level of CEO. Her book "Starting Over - 25 Rules for When
You've Bottomed Out" is available in bookstores or at Amazon. Get
her FREE ebook – “Grow Productivity – A Leader’s Toolbox.”
The Steelers were knock-knock-knocking on seven’s door for Super
Bowl XLV and The Steeler Nation was out in force. Thousands
witnessed the blocks and tackles live from the stands in Arlington, TX.
Hundreds of thousands twirled Terrible Towels in the living rooms of
their western Pennsylvania homes. And millions across the globe for
four short hours cheered at their televisions in any number of regional
and international accents with Pittsburgh Pride.
How is it that one team has the breadth of fans rivaled by no other? And
how do we capture that magic and transfer it to our businesses, lives
and relationships? Certainly the Steeler’s ownership has a long
standing regal heritage of respect in this town. No cheerleaders or fluff
– only the game is important in Pittsburgh. People who were born here
branch out for a few years and then seem to home back to the
familiarity of the hilly terrain, snowmageddon winters and 60 days of
sun. But wherever they go, they remain Steelers fans. Weather and
topography can’t be what lures them back – local dignity is more
important. I’ve never heard anyone who is from here refer to Pittsburgh
in a derogatory way. Only outsiders. And not so much anymore
because The Steeler Nation has earned equity across the country.
The steel industry laid a foundation in Pittsburgh from the late 1800s
into the 1970s of hard work and dedication that drew generations of
people from eastern European and other countries to come here for
prosperity. Early on they worked 363 days a year on 12 hour shifts,
living in housing without plumbing to have freedom and autonomy.
They were happy.
My father did not work in the mill. But his patients did. And my friends’
fathers did. Some of my friends had summer jobs there. Everyone
knew when the mill whistles blew that the dad’s were coming home.
Dinner was early back then because the men came home hungry. On
Sunday’s when I was a little girl not all of the Steeler games were on
TV. So we listened on the radio to Franco’s Immaculate Reception.
That’s what’s important – the memories of a team that endured a rise
and decline of one of the greatest industries of this country and whose
work ethic transcends it all with benchmarks that we hold dear. My dad
was at Three Rivers Stadium with three of his friends on a subzero day
holding a steaming cup of coffee when Franco reached out and
grabbed that ball. When he tells the story it still gives us chills. When
he gave the black and gold knitted hat he wore that day to my son this
year for his 18th birthday, it made everyone swallow hard.
So when the noise of Cowboy Stadium erupted that Sunday like the call
of a mill whistle at 3:00 o’clock and Terrible Towels started twirling like
smoke from a blast furnace we were reminded that what is important
is not whether or not we have on a Steeler Jersey or got tickets to
Dallas. What is important is the people we are with, the memories that
bring us together, and that commitment and perseverance bring
reward. That’s what gets you a little closer to heaven’s door. Go
Steelers!
Email this information to a friend. Follow Mary Lee Gannon on
Facebook via her name and on Twitter at StartingOverNow.
Get Mary Lee's free tip sheets on “Be Yourself, Everyone else is Already
Taken" and "Emotional Intelligence" at the Articles and Tips Page.
Mary Lee Gannon is the president of Gannon Group - a full service
executive coaching, training and consulting firm that provides
turnaround strategies for people and organizations by improving team
performance, executive leadership skills, board performance, planning
and project execution. Mary Lee’s personal turnaround came as a stay-
at-home mother, with four children under seven-years-old, who
endured a divorce that took she and the children from the country club
life to public assistance from where within a short time she worked out
of that to the level of CEO. Her book "Starting Over - 25 Rules for When
You've Bottomed Out" is available in bookstores or at Amazon. Get
her FREE ebook – “Grow Productivity – A Leader’s Toolbox.”
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* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
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click here for FREE
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Productivity Solutions for People & Organizations
Gannon Group is a full service executive coaching, consulting and
training firm that provides turnaround strategies for people and
organizations. We improve team performance, executive leadership
skills, board performance, planning and project execution through
Executive Coaching, Management Team Development, Board
Development, and Training in the areas of...
Healthcare
Business
Operational Excellence
Strategic Direction & Meeting Facilitation
Fundraising
Association Management
Non-Profit Management
Personal Turnaround
Sales
Communications & Public Relations
Contact Gannon Group at info@startingovernow.com.
Gannon Group is a full service executive coaching, consulting and
training firm that provides turnaround strategies for people and
organizations. We improve team performance, executive leadership
skills, board performance, planning and project execution through
Executive Coaching, Management Team Development, Board
Development, and Training in the areas of...
Healthcare
Business
Operational Excellence
Strategic Direction & Meeting Facilitation
Fundraising
Association Management
Non-Profit Management
Personal Turnaround
Sales
Communications & Public Relations
Contact Gannon Group at info@startingovernow.com.
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