The Man in the Arena Kept a Promise
By Brik McDill, PhD
July 25, 2024
In the spirit of the 2024 Olympics, leaders who are looking to reset their DEI efforts should invite Theodore Roosevelt to speak. In 1910 he gave a speech that has become known as “The Man in the Arena.” The speech is a powerful reminder of the importance of courage, perseverance, and taking risks. It is also a reminder that failure is not something to be feared, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow.
Roosevelt’s speech is particularly relevant to DEI work because it speaks to the importance of inclusion and diversity. He says, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”
This passage is a reminder that DEI work is not easy. It requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks. It also requires a willingness to fail. But failure is not something to be feared. It is an opportunity to learn and grow. And it is only through failure that we can achieve true success.
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