Royals Dayton Moore’s message to Class of 2020 should resonate with broader audience
Over the years, I’ve been in the company of Royals general manager Dayton Moore everywhere from Yordano Ventura’s funeral to Ellsworth Correctional Facility to random plane flights.
Not to mention during spring training in Arizona and in the dugout during the Royals’ runs to the 2014 and 2015 American League titles and 2015 World Series triumph.
Through virtually each of those experiences, through a wide spectrum of emotions, I was moved by or learned from his attitude and example.
I’ll never forget standing a few feet away from him as he told Ventura’s family how it was his honor to mourn with them. Or witnessing the empathy he conveyed to prisoners when he suggested that the only difference between them and him is they got caught. Or how he listens to others and speaks at length with fans who approached him.
Between that appreciation of him and the unrelenting cloud of the pandemic hovering over us, naturally, I was intrigued by the video the Royals sent out Tuesday of Moore’s recording of a commencement speech for the Kansas City Public Schools Class of 2020.
At least from my perspective, it was well worth the 7 minutes, 21 seconds that also featured a lesson told through the career of star outfielder Alex Gordon — which we asked Gordon about Tuesday and we’ll save for the end.
Moore’s ever-sincere words and message resonated in ways that seemed worth sharing, particularly while all are trying to cope with the shattering and bizarre circumstances of the pandemic in some way or another.
“I want to encourage you to believe in your future,” he says shortly into the video shot in his office. “And to always expect good things to happen in your lives.”
Cynics, or even skeptics, might think of that as a platitude. And we all know that many circumstances can’t be changed with attitude alone.
Just the same, mindset also is fundamental to hope and growth. Perhaps even a vital first step.
And Moore elaborated on the notion with his seven leadership principles of what he calls “organizational harmony” … each of which could also go a long way in community, family, business and individual growth:
“Settling Disputes Quickly
Be Responsive
Give People More Than They Expect
Stand Up For Your People
Remain Calm in the Eye of the Storm
Share the Glory
Practice One-on-One Communication.”
Some are more self-evident than others, some bear more elaboration.
When it comes to “Settling Disputes Quickly,” for instance, Moore said, “I don’t want ill relations with people in my life, especially people that I’m close to. And when I work hard to settle those disputes quickly, it shows that I’m willing to forgive. And forgiveness is such a key element to happiness and success in life.
“We never want that seed of bitterness planted inside that’s going to destroy our demeanor and give us an (improper) perspective on life. We’re the one that is constantly hurt if we’re unable to forgive.”
“Being Responsive,” he added, “simply shows (others) that you care about them.”
That’s also demonstrated when it comes to the idea of “Give People More Than They Expect.”
“It shows that you’re willing to serve them and put them first, and leadership begins and ends with putting others first,” Moore said. “Leaders exist to help other people. Value them first. Serve others. Have an above-and-beyond attitude.”
By “Stand Up For Your people,” Moore could just as well have said stand up for others.
“When you encourage people, you are motivating them,” he said. “When they know that you have their back, and you’re willing not to kick them when they’re down but lend a helping hand when they’re struggling, it brings a great source of encouragement to their lives and helps them get through (to) the next day.”
We’ll come back to “Remain Calm in the Eye of the Storm.”
But “Share the Glory” emphasizes the humility in remembering and giving credit others are due for helping us. And “Practice One-on-One Communication” is a reminder of the meaning of giving what he calls “perhaps your most important commodity and that’s your time. Plus, you learn to delight in others and you share your heart and you find common ground.”
Which brings us to “Remain Calm in the Eye of the Storm,” something that could speak to about anyone in what Moore called these “troubling and challenging times” that include the movement for social justice that Moore has called not Black vs. white but “good vs. evil.”
“Learn to respond instead of react; this is so important,” said Moore, who noted he turns to his Christian faith to help him. “I’ve learned when emotion comes in, logic often leaves.”
Adding that we are “in a storm right now,” Moore challenged the audience to “try to find proper perspective, seek wise counsel (and) deal with this in a way that you can use it to your benefit going forward.
“Challenges are meant to mold us and shape us and guide us in the future. Learn to respond instead of react by remaining calm in the eye of the storm.”
Moore used most of the final moments of the talk to apply that concept to Gordon, the second overall pick in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft who 10 years ago this summer was demoted to Class AAA Omaha while hitting .194 in his fourth big-league season.
At the time, Moore said, some wondered whether Gordon would ever return to the major leagues. Especially since part of the point of the move was to convert him to the outfield from third base to make way for promising youngster Mike Moustakas.
Gordon didn’t make excuses, didn’t blame others, didn’t tell Moore to trade him or that he wasn’t a very good GM, Moore recalled.
Instead, he said, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
As Gordon thought Tuesday about that crossroads, he called it “a difficult time in my life.”
“But just being brought up the way I was, knowing that life’s not going to be easy all the time,” he said, left him knowing “it’s how you handle it” that matters.
So he figured he could be upset and make excuses. Or he could keep his head up and work hard.
“It was just about looking in the mirror and making changes and doing it the best way I could,” Gordon said, later adding, “Life is going to throw you curveballs here and there.”
So Gordon, one of countless people to have been in the Royals organization (and around Kansas City) who know the difference Moore has made in their lives, became known for a legendary work ethic.
And he became one of the most accomplished outfielders in the game, a six-time Gold Glove performer, three-time All-Star, two-time American League champion and a world champ who will begin his 14th season Friday at Cleveland.
“He did what the very best leaders and the most successful people do,” Moore said. “They take their situation, their circumstances, whatever event that they’re presented with, and they take it as the very best thing to ever happen to them in their life.
“They take that challenge, that hardship, and they use it to their advantage to shape them and mold them and make them better.”
Some fine stuff for the Class of 2020 to ponder.
And for many of the rest of us to consider embracing, too — like so much Moore stands for.