You can be just like Mario Lemieux

Do you own an NHL team? Have you won an Olympic gold medal or three MVP awards? Have you played on two Stanley Cup championship teams?

Unless Mario Lemieux reads this blog, it's pretty safe to say the answers to the above questions are, "No."

You may not have medals, trophies, and Stanley Cups, but there is something very important you could have in common with Mario Lemieux. There is one thing he did this week, which you could do and do just as well.

He inspired his team.

By the time two teams are playing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup series, as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings were last Friday, it is clear both teams are skilled and talented. The difference between first and second place at that level is rarely skill, but more likely mental edge. Some might say "heart". Others say "desire," as if one team wanted the championship more than the other. Whatever you call it, Mario Lemieux inspired it in his team, the Penguins.

On Friday morning, each Penguins player awoke to find this on their cell phone:

This is a chance of a lifetime to realize your childhood dream to win a Stanley Cup. Play without fear and you will be successful! See you at center ice.

It was a text message from team owner, Mario Lemieux.

It was the right message at the right time. Mario's Penguins won the Stanley Cup that night, and he met them at center ice for the celebration.

You can do the same exact thing Mario did.

Inspire your team with the right message. Let them hear from you. Let them know you are behind them and believe in them.

Some leaders will think the idea is too fluffy and superficial. I say, if it's good enough for a hockey player (they aren't known for being sissies, after all), it's good enough for any leader. Your team wants to hear from you, especially during tough times.

If you want your team to step up, then you should too. Be like Lemieux in this regard: step up and inspire your team. Now.