X marks the spot for hidden treasure! X is the unknown factor in a mathematical equation! In modern parlance, X represents something indefinable, unforgettable, different, compelling and attractive; it stands out above others. The television franchise of that name claims to produce singers who have the X Factor, that star quality; so what is the X Factor in sport? What is it that will make one player, one team, one school, stand out above all others?
The New Zealand All Blacks rugby side would seem to have that X factor, seeing they have a win percentage of 77.09% over a period of over one hundred years – not bad for a country whose population is only four and a half million people (at most, a third of Zimbabwe’s population and a tenth of South Africa’s). In recent years many people have tried to fathom why they are so strong so consistently and while there are perhaps many contributory factors the most compelling one is probably the most surprising, given the way that many other players, coaches and supporters act. The main factor is a mantra that was introduced by the players, not by the management. It is simply this: a better person makes a better player. How the person behaves off the field, as much as on it, will determine how good a player he is. It goes back to the importance of values in sport and how Charles Simmons claimed that “Integrity is the first step to true greatness.” Humility is part of that first step; humility is the X factor. Conversely, a better player does not necessarily make a better person – he makes a worse person, as he becomes arrogant, complacent, lazy, disrespectful.
Closely linked to this mantra are two other ones that the All Blacks have. Firstly, they state that they will leave the changing room in a better state than they found it, even though there will be people who are paid to clean up the changing rooms. Importantly, all the players are responsible for that, even the one with over one hundred caps as captain. They are not above doing such menial tasks, in contrast to what is often found elsewhere where the ‘senior’ players will get ‘junior’ players to do the dirty work. Secondly, they state that they will leave the ‘jersey’ in a better state than they found it. What that underlines above all is that they are aware they are not simply having the honour of playing for the national team for themselves, for their own glory, but they are acutely aware that they are in fact doing it for the four million citizens as well as for future generations as well, as others did for them. It is not about themselves. It is not honour that counts but humility.
What makes players stand out above others is quite simply the quality of standing below others. People with humility do not try to stand out above others or try to promote themselves all the time, nor do they feel they have to win, especially at all costs. They do not push themselves on others, nor do they gloat, boast, taunt, mock, shout or point at the name on their backs. They do not appeal to the referee, complain or question. They simply focus on what they have been tasked to do and seek to do it really well. They do things well, quietly, confidently, contentedly.
More than that, humility is the ability to know who we are and what we can do. We do not need to tell others who we are or what we have done because we know who we are and what we have done and that is all that matters. Why do others need to be told all the time? In actual fact we are really only telling ourselves how great we think we are. Margaret Thatcher, one of the most ‘successful’ British Prime Ministers of modern times, once said that “Being powerful is like being a lady; if you have to tell someone you are, you aren’t.” The same applies to being successful.
Secondly, humility is the ability to accept who we are and what we can do. We do not need to change who we are for other people. We do not need to prove ourselves to others as that is not the point. The one with the X Factor accepts his ability and position, with gratitude and understanding.
Thirdly, humility is the ability to stay who we are and keep on doing what we can do. Others may do more or may do better but that does not enter the equation. Being true to ourselves and to our values is far more important and significant. It is a big mistake that schools and individuals often make, trying to be someone else because the other person or institution seems to be ‘successful’.
The X Factor is not a mathematical equation or statistical explanation but a humble example.
