I'm very thankful to the Krafts for giving me the opportunity to

Hear the voice of Steve Nicol, who spoke not in boastfulness but in humility and remembrance: “I’m very thankful to the Krafts for giving me the opportunity to be their head coach. I’ve had some great times and been involved with some great players and great people.” Within these words lies the spirit of gratitude, the recognition that leadership is not merely taken, but entrusted. To be a coach is to be given the sacred charge of guiding men, not only in sport but in character. Nicol acknowledges that this trust was placed in him by the Krafts, and his words reveal a heart that honors both the givers of opportunity and the companions who walked with him through triumph and trial.

The ancients, too, revered the principle of entrusted leadership. Among the Romans, a general was not simply one who rose by force, but one appointed and entrusted by the Senate and the people. His victories belonged not only to himself but to those who had given him the chance to lead. Gratitude, therefore, was essential to honor the bond between patron and servant, leader and people. Nicol’s thankfulness for the Krafts mirrors this tradition—acknowledging that without the faith of those who entrusted him, his leadership would never have found its field of action.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great and his teacher Aristotle. Alexander conquered much of the known world, yet he confessed that while he owed his life to his father, he owed the greatness of that life to his teacher. In like manner, Nicol points not to himself but to those who gave him the opportunity, recognizing that every achievement is rooted in the trust and support of others. Gratitude transforms leadership from arrogance into service, and it ensures that victories are shared, not hoarded.

Nicol’s reflection also honors the players and people he worked with. Too often, leaders claim triumphs as their own, forgetting that without those who labor alongside them, their vision would remain unrealized. Yet he speaks of “great players and great people,” lifting them up as equals in the story of his career. This humility is the mark of true greatness: the acknowledgment that leadership is not domination but partnership, that glory is brightest when it is shared among all who contributed.

The phrase “I’ve had some great times” speaks to the spirit of memory and legacy. For in the end, it is not only the victories that matter, but the moments of camaraderie, the bonds of trust, and the joy of striving together. The ancients often spoke of the sweetness of shared struggle—how the warriors of Troy and the armies of Rome remembered not only battles but the fellowship of comrades who stood shoulder to shoulder. Nicol’s words remind us that the true treasure of leadership lies not only in trophies, but in the people whose lives became interwoven with your own.

The lesson here is both simple and profound: when entrusted with responsibility, be thankful, not boastful. Remember those who gave you the opportunity, for your success is never yours alone. Honor those who labor with you, for their greatness is bound to yours. And when you look back, let your memories be filled not with pride of position, but with gratitude for the companions and patrons who walked the journey with you.

Practical wisdom follows: in your own life, whether you lead a team, a family, or a community, remember to speak words of thanks. Do not imagine that your strength alone carried you to your place. Recognize those who opened doors, those who believed in you, those who stood beside you in both triumph and trial. Let your gratitude shape your leadership, and let humility be the crown upon your victories.

Thus, Steve Nicol’s words rise into timeless teaching: “I am very thankful… I’ve been involved with great players and great people.” This is the creed of true leadership—that gratitude is the foundation, opportunity is the gift, and the worth of a leader is measured not only by victories, but by how deeply he honors those who made them possible. Lead with gratitude, and your legacy will endure long after the final whistle has blown.