Bill Clinton: Put the Integrity in Your Effort

Updated May 11, 2021

In 1993, Michigan played UNC for the NCAA basketball championship. The famous Fab Five of Michigan was led by Chris Webber, who went on to become the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Michigan lost the championship game due, in part, to Chris Webber calling a time-out in the final seconds when his team did not have one, resulting in a technical foul.

This incident has followed him throughout his career. Immediately after it happened, Bill Clinton (the president at the time) wrote Chris Webber a letter:

I have been thinking of you a lot since I sat glued to the TV during the championship game. I know that there may be nothing I or anyone else can say to ease the pain and disappointment of what happened. Still, for whatever it's worth, you, and your team, were terrific. And part of playing for high stakes under great pressure is the constant risk of mental error. I know. I have lost two political races and made countless mistakes over the last twenty years. What matters is the intensity, integrity, and courage you bring to the effort. That is certainly what you have done. You can always regret what occurred but don't let it get you down or take away the satisfaction of what you have accomplished. You have a great future. Hang in there.

Sincerely, Bill Clinton

(taken from Grantland)

No matter what line of work you're in, particularly when it comes to Islamic organizations, you will have failures. Some will be more spectacular than others. What differentiates those who bounce back and have spectacular success is that they bring the intensity, integrity, and courage to every aspect of their work. Or in another word, ihsaan [excellence].