This is Equality
Tim Toterhi
CHRO | Coach | Author helping companies change culture, enhance performance, and optimize talent.
Since the dawn of the sweet science, boxers have emerged from every spot on the globe ready to test themselves against these best of their era. And while each has a unique backstory, they share a common dream – becoming the undisputed champion of the world.
Over the years, boxing has forged and revealed a series of heroes – standout humans who have changed things both in and outside the ring. You know the names. And we all have our favorites.?
Last night, on April 30, 2022, we got to know two more: Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Together they made history as the first women to top the card as the main event at Madison Square Garden. If you don’t know boxing and can’t fathom the significance, think Superbowl, World Cup, the Masters.
The road to this mega-fight was not an easy one.
In 2013 Katie Taylor set out to change the face of boxing. As an amateur, she canvassed the International Olympic Committee to get women’s boxing in the games and humbled herself by fighting an exhibition match to “prove” it was worthy. It was, and she rained gold on her home country of Ireland. She later turned pro, built a following, and became a two-weight world champion and the unified, undisputed lightweight champion.
Last night she faced off against another titan of the sport, Amanda Serrano. The pride of Puerto Rico is the unified featherweight champion, winner of world titles in four weight classes, and perhaps one of the most dedicated, hard-working humans on the planet.
Spoiler Alert: It was a clash of champions with all belts on the line. Katie retained her titles in a razor thin split decision. But true winner of this history-making event was equality. You see, this wasn’t a women’s fight or some “girl power, babe-boss” victory. This was pure excellence on display in front of a sold-out arena – an instant contender for fight of the year.
If you’re still with me, you might be asking yourself why this post is on LinkedIn. How does a boxing match relate to the workplace?
Well, I believe that diversity comes from how we think not which boxes we check on some HR form; that true inclusion includes everyone; and that equality has to be equal. That’s it. That’s the lesson…the one we all understood naturally as toddlers and somehow forget along the way.
Last night was an in-your-face reminder that all people are created equal.?
You see, in boxing, there are no free rides. No “diversity” appointments. No special promotion programs or hiring quotas. And not a single thumb is placed on the scale of a succession plan. Fights are won and belts are earned through hard work, self-disciple, and sheer force of will.
Your last name can’t help you in a boxing ring, neither can your wallet. No one cares about your race or religion. And not one thought is given to who you sleep with or vote for. Step in that ring and you are instantly subject to the greatest equalizing force in any professional endeavor.??
That’s the beauty of boxing. Every fighter from prospect to champion faces the same brutal truth. You enter the ring alone, try your best, and own the outcome. No excuses.
Taylor and Serrano lived this truth, exemplified excellence, and became legends…better still, they became examples for countless little girls, my daughter included.
You see, I watched the fight again this morning with her before we began our lesson. As always, we discussed the techniques employed. But we also talked of the importance of being humble in victory, gracious in defeat, and how there is no “girl punch” or “boy punch”. There is only the punch that lands – speed, accuracy, power.
Then we got to work.
Congratulations, Katie Taylor. Congratulations, Amanda Serrano. You are both champions.?Corporate employees from interns to executives can all learn from your example. We are all equal and each of us is striving to become greater than we were yesterday.?
Let’s follow their example.?Let’s all strive to:?Be >
About: Tim Toterhi is not your typical CHRO. He’s an author, career coach, and TEDx speaker who lives by the motto Learn, Teach, Rinse, Repeat. Other posts include: