Ponder this question with me: Can a preeminent athletic program be created through a culture of hospitality?

Several years ago, in one of my classes, and I don’t remember which course it happened to occur in, probably in sport facilities during our home court/field debate, the topic emerged around this concept of viewing the opponent as the enemy. With a stunned expression of raised eyebrows and a gaping mouth, my puzzlement must have been evident as the discussion continued. Offering an opinion on the disappointment I experience when professional athletes do not shake hands at the end of a contest, my students shared with me this opponent-as-enemy viewpoint that I am still wrestling with today.

The majority of my four decades of life has been either fully emerged or at least waist-deep in the sporting world, and one of the aspects I treasure the most are the relationships built and the connections made, often with a person from the opposing side. Whether it was a Tipton County rivalry game between Munford and Covington or a TranSouth Conference battle between Lipscomb and Union, my cheers for a defeating victory were loud, but never did I see a need to destroy an enemy. Even if there were tears rolling down my cheeks when the contest was over and emotions were high, it didn’t erase the established friendships because one person was dressed in blue rather than red. So, can we no longer embrace intense rivalries without viewing the opponent as an enemy?

Perhaps this opponent-but-not-enemy mindset is why I enjoy the sport of tennis as much as I do. In this sport, the opponent you just faced across the net in singles could potentially be your teammate in doubles tomorrow; or is your sister who shares the same car ride home. Because I believe you can best someone on the field and then share a meal across the table afterwards, I embrace the concept of building a culture of hospitality in sport and I think it’s achievable. Possibly, this will not be a popular view; however, I request that you indulge me for a short time as I spend time clarifying this idea.

In the quest to decipher what leads to a flourishing life, I’ve appreciated reading thoughts from various perspectives in the disciplines of neuroscience, psychology, education, business, athletics, and many more. One common theme that has emerged quite often is this idea that flourishing people, both personally and professionally, admit to developing deep connections with others; they have a sense of belonging whether within an organization or in relationships with other individuals. When a person experiences a connection within the various communities they are a part of, whether through an employer who pays a salary, a volunteer organization that provides a service, or a faith that furnishes meaning, the individual reports a change that impacts every aspect of their well-being.

So, if connections are vital to flourishing, what impact does the environmental culture around a person have? Do we not increase the opportunities for a sense of belonging when there is a culture of hospitality? Returning to a concept presented in the post entitled The Hospitality Room, there exist numerous occasions where a window is opened for connection whether that window appears in a college classroom, a locker room, or a board room.

As I’m challenged to investigate personal qualities that lead to a flourishing life or examining professional characteristics of thriving organizations, I return to this concept that preeminent organizations earn that status by creating a culture of hospitality both internally and externally. So, whether we are addressing the specific needs of an emerging generation or describing what thriving athletic teams do, I hope in future posts to not only define what it means to be a preeminent organization, but to outline and explain why I think there is a link between a culture that is created based on this little thing known as hospitality and a flourishing result.