In what already has been called one of the greatest football games of all time, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills January 23, 2022 after both teams combined for 25 points in the final two minutes.

The Chiefs tied the Bills with only 13 seconds left on the game clock, which led to overtime and the Chiefs victory.

See previous post for more about leadership lessons demonstrated by both teams.

They say adversity builds character. Both teams built plenty last Sunday.

I say adversity also reveals character.

Whether you win or lose, you are who you are. The truth of what you value shows no matter the score, or promotion, salary, revenue growth, number of likes, car, house, or other external factor.

It is really no wonder, then, that both teams showed plenty of character after the game.

On the field, players from both teams gathered to pray together (see photo). After a gut-wrenching loss, Bills players could still see the bigger picture and joined the hometown Chiefs in prayer. In victory, Chiefs players saw something more important too. In victory and defeat, core values will always show.

Chiefs fans were so inspired by Bills quarterback Josh Allen, that nearly 18 thousand of them have donated $13 each to a favorite nonprofit of Allen’s, Oishei Children’s Hospital. More than $400k has been donated in less than a week.  (source: Oieshei Children’s Hospital post)

Whether you’re in the NFL, work for a children’s hospital, founded a tech company, advocate for those in need, teach, or take care of kiddos full time, your core values are evident to those around you.

Your behaviors, decisions, and interactions reflect the truth of who you are. Your core values rise above victory and defeat, no matter what you say and no matter what others say about you. Live accordingly.