Intangibles are not qualities that can be timed, measured, or weighed. In pro football it’s the intangibles that mark the difference between players. Two quarterbacks can have equally strong stats, but a player’s character, things like his work ethic, his leadership capabilities, his mental capital, confidence, responsibility, and his personal faith all play an amazingly important role in his recruitment and development as a person. The following are important concepts of good character – listen and learn.

Are you willing to take constructive criticism? Criticism helps you improve; it can actually help you improve your chances of long term success. If a player or person is not willing to take criticism, and learn from it, his chances of growing up become self-dependent and opportunities will diminish.

When you hear a commentator say, “He’s mentally tough,” what goes through my mind is that he’s able to withstand diversity. When something goes wrong he’s able to get up off the ground and go on. He doesn’t sulk and feel sorry for himself, he remains focused on the task at hand; his faith and hope does not disappoint.

Can a man be trusted? Trust is earned, which means he must be consistent; he must make the right choices again and again, over and over. It takes time to develop this character trait, but without it would want him on your team or trust him as a friend?

Kindness is a character trait often overlooked. Not the kind of kindness seen, but the kind unseen. The story about the boy who helped the old lady across the street is timeless. He did it not to be recognized, but because it was the right thing to do.

Having God given talent helps. We all have it in one capacity or another. We need to pay careful attention to finding out what our strengths are and developing them for the glory of the Giver.

Although somewhat measurable, to obeying the rules, leading by example, and being cool under pressure, are also very important character traits we must live by if we want success in life.

Remember, no man wakes up in the morning and becomes a great football player, a master musician, nuclear engineer, a pro skateboarder, or a godly man. It takes hard work, lots of prayer, and a willingness to be shaped, prodded, bent, and sometimes broken to be great. The apostle Paul said, “I have fought the fight, finished the course, I have kept the faith.” The crown of righteousness, and eternal life was his reward, not a bad deal but it cost him hard work, suffering, persecution, even death!

Intangibles are hard to put on your resume without looking arrogant, but if you have them you can be sure the right people will appreciate them and having good intangibles will change your life for the better.

God Bless,

Bob Graham