I’D HIRE THIS “KID” TOMORROW

See What I Saw

There’s a lot more good coming out of the Rochester area this week than just the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club.

There are all sorts of great teams, great teammates, and great examples of both going on all around us.

Sometimes our eye goes to the big shiny objects, but if you look just a little deeper, you can spot great things in people. It comes with a mindset.

I saw something awesome this week.

I’ve watched the video of it more than 20x.

Each time I see something new that embodies so much good, and why being a part of any team, and being together is just so uniquely special.

THE BACKDROP

In mid-March, I had the wonderful opportunity to go and speak to the Lynchburg Men’s Lacrosse team about leadership & team dynamics.

We discussed attributes of being an awesome teammate, doing the little things, and importantly, the concept of Mattering. Feeling that you add value and that you are valued.

We talked about the scout team and the importance of authentic recognition across the entirety of the team - leaders of the team taking ownership over creating a culture where everyone on the team feels like they contribute in whatever way they can.

Naturally, I’ve felt connected to them since, as I do with any team, organization, or individual that I work with.

This past Saturday, Lynchburg faced St. John Fisher, out of Rochester, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Tournament.

I tuned in. The game was really hard fought on both sides. Both very talented teams.

The game ended regulation tied at 10-10 and went into Sudden Death Overtime - an exhilarating way to win / an absolutely brutal way to lose.

Then, as Lynchburg scored to win the game 11-10, I saw something that caught my eye. I loved it.

Here is the clip.

Did you see what I saw?

Watch it again.

While I was tuned in because of Lynchburg, it happened on the other side. This time, look for #52 in maroon on the St John Fisher bench, down toward the end on the right.

What did you see? What did I see?

Immediately when I saw #52, what I saw was a “kid” whose season, and potentially career just came to a screeching halt.

I did not know anything about him, his stature on the team, his background or if this was his last time wearing the jersey. I knew nothing.

I saw a “kid” who while others were frozen, his first step instinctually was out toward his team. His second step was to turn back and rally his guys.

When he realized it’d take a little more, he re-emphasized it “LET’S GO!”

I saw his team follow his lead.

I saw him go and individually hug his fellow teammates.

I saw someone I had to meet.

His name is Hunter Noteware, from Bath NY - up near Rochester - and I met him (via zoom) this week.

MORE ON THAT SOON, BUT FIRST YOU MAY BE ASKING, WHY WAS THIS UNIQUE OR DIFFERENT? I UNDERSTAND.

Why does this matter?

Most of you have now seen teams in sports like soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, “get to their goalie”.

At the end of a game you will see teams - whether they won or lost - all descend on their respective goalie, to show their respect for someone who was willing to stand in the goal and sacrifice, on an island.

It might feel forced sometimes, which I understand. But it’s a good element and a good practice, and it reinforces great team lessons.

BUT. THIS. WASN’T. THAT.

What I saw was an instinctual response. It was different.

I saw a “kid” who did not for a second think of himself or what just happened “to him.” I saw an instinct to go towards his teammates, and to rally the ones behind him who were naturally frozen in disbelief.

He didn’t take a moment to mope (he would have had every right to).

He didn’t gradually make his way out, shoulders down, expressing body language outward about himself and his disappointment (which he could have).

He went forward, turned around and grabbed his teammates, and said “Let’s Go” and he went and embraced those who were on the field who too had just suffered an abrupt ending.

What I Really Saw

I’ve talked and shared a lot about the fact that when someone says “he’s a great teammate” what that really means is, I can trust that person.

What I really saw from whoever was in that #52 jersey was:

Someone I figured I could trust

• Someone that was likely brought up well
• Someone that likely embraced his role
• Someone that had the respect of his teammates
• Someone that loved his teammates
• Someone that did not think of himself first.
• Someone that embodies the true definition of team, teammate, and leader.

Who Is Hunter Noteware?

Were My Instincts Correct?

I connected with Hunter via Zoom - because as I said, I had to meet this man.

It turns out, my instincts were correct.

Hunter Noteware just finished his senior year at St John Fisher. So yes, that goal, in that setting, ended his college lacrosse career.

I first acknowledged the fact that this is likely an incredibly random situation for him - some random guy who happened to be watching that game and noticed him in a 3-second snippet, and asked if he’d be willing to hop on a zoom… (Guilty as charged).

He told me that the only other person that noticed it was his Grandmother. (Maybe I should meet her too? She sounds like a great lady who loves her grandkid).

I shared the two goals I had in connecting with him.

1) To have him know that his action was SEEN.

2) To learn what makes him tick, find out if my instincts were correct about him, and find out what was going through his mind at that very moment.

He is a role player on the team. For context, only 32 members of the team are eligible to fully dress for an NCAA tournament game (World’s dumbest rule) and well he wasn’t one of the 32.

I wanted to find out when he started to realize and really embrace the role that he came to have on his college team.

Back in his sophomore year, his coach had articulated to him that his role on the team likely wouldn’t be one that manifested on the field. (Good communication)

He got it, but he loves the sport, having played it since he was young. Hunter’s dad was an asst coach on his HS team at Haverling HS, and grew up in lacrosse-heavy nearby Penn Yan, NY

What Hunter knew at SJF was that he loved his team, and he loved being a member of it.

He’d help wherever he could.

“I started helping the coaches with scouting. I started taking notes on game film, what I saw from the other team, and what we had to do in practice as a scout defense”

As it turns out, SJF lost their defensive assistant coach to a different opportunity before this past season.

What did Hunter do as a response? He stepped in and did all the personnel scouting, watched film, gathered stats - doing the stuff an assistant coach would do to support his head coach, and support his team.

He realized that would be his contribution. That is where he would add value.

So what did he feel/what went through his mind when that goal went in and what made him run out there.

“I just sorta did it”

This is the thing that stood out to me about his actions.

The “I just sorta did it.” It was instinctual… That is what’s different about this, and not just someone going through the post-game routine to get to their goalie.

“I thought, this SUCKS, but this does us no good to be sad on the sideline, we should be together”.

We. Should. Be. Together.

I agree, Hunter. Because we’re all better together.

Together UP!

What’s Next For Hunter?

I’m an assist guy. This is my assist.

Surprise, Surprise!! Hunter wants to be a college coach!

His goal is to get a coaching job at a school while getting his masters degree at that school as a way of advancing his coaching.

So let’s go people… we do this Together. All it takes is 8 seconds in the clip above to know that you’ll have a good one on your staff - and he’s been doing it already anyway!

I’ll include his email at the bottom of this. Pass this on and let’s honor #52 with a great opportunity.

I’d hire him tomorrow if I could.

Okay Hess, So Where To From Here?

As always we need to come away with something. A takeaway and what to do differently tomorrow.

“Hunter Noteware” is happening all over the place, in so many organizations, on so many teams. We could break down this story, his role, and his actions into so many incredible lessons:

• Embracing a role
• Doing the little things
• Being an awesome teammate
• The power of togetherness
• Feeling that you’re seen.

I’m going to focus on two of them: Embracing a role, and feeling seen.

I hear it all the time:

• “Great teammates embrace their role.”
• “You wanna help your team? Embrace your role”
• “Not happy with your role? Do something about it”
• “You have a role on this team, you should be happy that you have a role”
• “Go above and beyond what your role requires”

Embracing A Role

The thing is, embracing your role is a helluva lot easier, and that role is done a helluva lot better when people know their role matters.

It’s easy to be seen when you’re the one on the field, or up on stage, or holding the meeting, or being recognized as a top producer.

But there are so many people that are contributing to a purpose, to an outcome, to the top or bottom line, to a culture, to their team.

Unfortunately, many of them deliver only what their role is required, and do not go above and beyond because they feel no connection to the fact that their role matters.

Feeling Seen

When I shared my first goal of the zoom conversation with him (above) which was making sure he knows that his actions were seen, you could see his energy change, and the response on his face was clear that there was genuine appreciation.

Guess what. It felt good to have him feel good.

It was important for me to have him know that. It felt important for him to know that.

There are so many Hunter Notewares out there. People doing “whatever they can do to make their team better”. You just have to look, and when you see them, acknowledge them.

1. If you’re a leader, authentically acknowledge your appreciation for their contribution and how they carry themselves.
2. For your peers, remind them that what they do matters to those around you, like yourself.
3. If you’re not sure who they are…. well then….. call me.

Hunter can be reached via email at [email protected]

Give #52 a shout.?