{"id":356052,"date":"2021-10-21T17:32:05","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T14:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/"},"modified":"2021-10-21T17:32:05","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T14:32:05","slug":"mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"#Mark Messier on leadership, trust and magic mushrooms"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3872e96f4ec\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3872e96f4ec\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Your_book_is_a_meditation_on_leadership_as_much_as_it_is_a_memoir_Whats_the_biggest_lesson_youre_hoping_people_will_draw_from_it\" >Q: Your book is a meditation on leadership as much as it is a memoir. What\u2019s the biggest lesson you\u2019re hoping people will draw from it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_How_do_you_earn_it\" >Q: How do you earn it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_talk_about_the_importance_of_connection_between_teammates_Your_relationship_with_Wayne_Gretzky_shines_through_as_a_critical_one\" >Q: You talk about the importance of connection between teammates. Your relationship with Wayne Gretzky shines through as a critical one.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_How_important_is_it_to_see_your_teammates_as_friends\" >Q: How important is it to see your teammates as friends?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_How_important_is_it_to_believe_youre_going_to_win_and_to_be_able_to_say_that_out_loud\" >Q: How important is it to believe you\u2019re going to win, and to be able to say that out loud?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_probably_get_this_question_all_the_time_but_is_there_a_moment_you_would_pick_out_as_your_ultimate_career_highlight\" >Q: You probably get this question all the time, but is there a moment you would pick out as your ultimate career highlight?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_The_game_has_changed_a_lot_since_you_started_playing_especially_in_the_physicality_What_do_you_think_of_how_hockey_has_evolved\" >Q: The game has changed a lot since you started playing, especially in the physicality. What do you think of how hockey has evolved?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Theres_a_scene_in_the_book_where_your_son_is_looking_at_old_videos_and_he_says_something_like_%E2%80%9CYoud_be_in_jail_for_some_of_those_hits_if_they_happened_now%E2%80%9D_How_do_you_talk_to_your_kids_and_young_people_about_how_things_used_to_be_and_how_much_has_changed\" >Q: There\u2019s a scene in the book where your son is looking at old videos and he says something like, \u201cYou\u2019d be in jail for some of those hits if they happened now.\u201d How do you talk to your kids, and young people, about how things used to be and how much has changed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_There_seems_to_be_no_room_for_error_with_social_media_What_do_you_think_about_what_young_players_are_dealing_with_today\" >Q: There seems to be no room for error with social media. What do you think about what young players are dealing with today?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Are_you_worried_that_forgiveness_isnt_always_extended_to_people_who_might_deserve_it_The_online_mob_kind_of_picks_its_targets\" >Q: Are you worried that forgiveness isn\u2019t always extended to people who might deserve it? The online mob kind of picks its targets.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Younger_athletes_are_applauded_today_for_talking_about_the_pressure_theyre_under_and_prioritizing_their_mental_health_even_if_it_means_taking_time_away_from_competing_Do_you_think_thats_a_good_thing\" >Q: Younger athletes are applauded today for talking about the pressure they\u2019re under, and prioritizing their mental health even if it means taking time away from competing. Do you think that\u2019s a good thing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_talk_in_the_book_about_conquering_negative_self-talk_and_learning_to_think_positively_about_yourself_Were_there_times_when_that_was_hard_for_you\" >Q: You talk in the book about conquering negative self-talk and learning to think positively about yourself. Were there times when that was hard for you?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_describe_taking_magic_mushrooms_at_19_as_a_transformative_experience_Tell_me_more_about_how_your_perspective_expanded\" >Q: You describe taking magic mushrooms at 19 as a transformative experience. Tell me more about how your perspective expanded.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Is_spirituality_still_a_big_part_of_your_life\" >Q: Is spirituality still a big part of your life?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_obviously_took_leadership_lessons_from_these_philosophies_You_even_end_the_book_with_a_quote_from_a_Hindu_text\" >Q: You obviously took leadership lessons from these philosophies. You even end the book with a quote from a Hindu text.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_You_talk_about_the_importance_of_diversity_and_making_people_feel_comfortable_but_people_of_colour_havent_always_felt_comfortable_in_the_NHL_What_are_your_thoughts_on_that\" >Q: You talk about the importance of diversity and making people feel comfortable, but people of colour haven\u2019t always felt comfortable in the NHL. What are your thoughts on that?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Do_you_think_that_in_the_past_there_were_failures_of_leadership_on_this\" >Q: Do you think that in the past there were failures of leadership on this?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_Would_you_be_tempted_to_get_involved_in_the_NHL_again_as_a_coach_or_a_manager\" >Q: Would you be tempted to get involved in the NHL again as a coach or a manager?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/#Q_If_the_New_York_Rangers_called_would_you_go_for_it\" >Q:\u00a0If the New York Rangers called, would you go for it?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Mark Messier on leadership, trust and magic mushrooms<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n                He\u2019s a six-time Stanley Cup winner, the second most prolific playoff-points scorer ever, a two-time most valuable player in the NHL, a 15-time all-star and the only person ever to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup championships\u2014the Edmonton Oilers, even after the departure of his great friend Wayne Gretzky, and the New York Rangers.<\/p>\n<p>First he was \u201cthe Moose,\u201d then he was \u201cthe Messiah,\u201d according to New Yorkers\u2014that\u2019s a play on his last name\u2014for ending a 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994. He\u2019s an officer of the Order of Canada. And he\u2019s now the author of a memoir he hopes will convey the lessons he learned along the way.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Messier chatted with me ahead of the release of <em>No One Wins Alone<\/em>, authored with writer Jimmy Roberts. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Your_book_is_a_meditation_on_leadership_as_much_as_it_is_a_memoir_Whats_the_biggest_lesson_youre_hoping_people_will_draw_from_it\"><\/span>Q: Your book is a meditation on leadership as much as it is a memoir. What\u2019s the biggest lesson you\u2019re hoping people will draw from it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> One of the questions I get all the time is: what\u2019s the single most important lesson of leadership? I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s an answer because it\u2019s so multidimensional. I do know that earning trust is just massive and earning the right to lead the people is critical. You know, Abe Lincoln said no man can govern another without his consent. You can\u2019t expect to lead people unless you\u2019ve earned that right.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_do_you_earn_it\"><\/span>Q: How do you earn it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> It always starts with trust. One of the most important things I did with the players I played with was getting to know them on a more personal level. Taking the time to understand where they came from. Understanding who they are as people and spending as much time as possible with them away from the rink so you develop a relationship that is deeper than a professional relationship.<\/p>\n<p>John Wooden, a great basketball coach, said great coaching is being able to give correction without resentment. When you\u2019ve got to be honest with a player and he might not like it but he doesn\u2019t hold it against you or think you have something against him as a person. As a leader you\u2019ve got to be able to go home at night and put your head on the pillow and know it\u2019s up to him to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>READ:\u00a0Jody Wilson-Raybould on Ottawa\u2019s power problem\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_talk_about_the_importance_of_connection_between_teammates_Your_relationship_with_Wayne_Gretzky_shines_through_as_a_critical_one\"><\/span>Q: You talk about the importance of connection between teammates. Your relationship with Wayne Gretzky shines through as a critical one.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> It\u2019s not very often that you can look at someone eight days younger than you and look at them as a role model. Normally you get that from folks who are much older than you, who have been around with much more experience. But our best example was the same age as us. We\u2019re all grateful that the stars collided and that we all came together at the same time.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_important_is_it_to_see_your_teammates_as_friends\"><\/span>Q: How important is it to see your teammates as friends?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> When we talk about being brothers, I don\u2019t think we reference each other like that lightly. Maybe you don\u2019t need to have that in order to win, I don\u2019t know\u2014I didn\u2019t have that experience on the teams I was fortunate enough to win with. Maybe you can win without that real tight level of friendship.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_important_is_it_to_believe_youre_going_to_win_and_to_be_able_to_say_that_out_loud\"><\/span>Q: How important is it to believe you\u2019re going to win, and to be able to say that out loud?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think you can be afraid to fail. I think you really need to be forthright in your objective. For us in hockey at a professional level, you have a very defined goal of what success is. You can have smaller goals along the way and celebrate those goals, but ultimately you\u2019re there for one reason and that\u2019s to win a Stanley Cup. It might take some time to build a team and get some experience and put the pieces in place to do that. But you always have to have in the back of your mind on a day-to-day basis: are we closer to winning a Stanley Cup or are we further away?<\/p>\n<p>And making sure that everybody in the organization, whether they\u2019re on the ice as a player, or with a trainer or a doctor, physicians, therapists, equipment managers, managers, coaches, everybody is there with the same goal in mind, believing in the philosophy and the vision of the team and the culture the team created. Then you just start chopping wood and carrying water toward that goal.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1229330\" style=\"width: 422px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" class=\" wp-image-1229330 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MARK-MESSIER-SMITH-OCT13.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Messier. (Photograph by John Brackett)\" width=\"412\" height=\"619\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph by John Brackett)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_probably_get_this_question_all_the_time_but_is_there_a_moment_you_would_pick_out_as_your_ultimate_career_highlight\"><\/span>Q: You probably get this question all the time, but is there a moment you would pick out as your ultimate career highlight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> To come to New York and win a championship that hadn\u2019t been won in 54 years was incredible. And it\u2019s pretty remarkable what h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ened in Edmonton, coming from an expansion team to winning the Stanley Cup, and going on to win five cups in seven years. I just can\u2019t compartmentalize one moment in a career over 26 years. There\u2019s too many special moments and they\u2019re all different in their own rights.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_The_game_has_changed_a_lot_since_you_started_playing_especially_in_the_physicality_What_do_you_think_of_how_hockey_has_evolved\"><\/span>Q: The game has changed a lot since you started playing, especially in the physicality. What do you think of how hockey has evolved?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> I\u2019m happy the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> has evolved in so many ways. They\u2019ve made changes to the game to get the speed and the finesse and the artistry back into the game, instead of hooking and clutching and holding and grabbing. They opened up the game to more excitement for the fans. It\u2019s a better product when the game is played like that. There\u2019s still plenty of physicality.<\/p>\n<p>The equipment has changed. <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology<\/a> has entered into hockey like every other sport, not only with the equipment but with the training. The players are making incredible use of <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a> now to train all year round. So many things have advanced in the sport, but ultimately in the end the game is still won on the ice between the boards. It always gets down to a test of will, and that\u2019s what makes hockey so great.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>READ:\u00a0Murray Sinclair on reconciliation, anger, unmarked graves\u2014and a headline for this story\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Theres_a_scene_in_the_book_where_your_son_is_looking_at_old_videos_and_he_says_something_like_%E2%80%9CYoud_be_in_jail_for_some_of_those_hits_if_they_happened_now%E2%80%9D_How_do_you_talk_to_your_kids_and_young_people_about_how_things_used_to_be_and_how_much_has_changed\"><\/span>Q: There\u2019s a scene in the book where your son is looking at old videos and he says something like, \u201cYou\u2019d be in jail for some of those hits if they happened now.\u201d How do you talk to your kids, and young people, about how things used to be and how much has changed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> I think we all recognize that as the game evolved and concussions started to enter into sports, if things didn\u2019t change, the game wouldn\u2019t last. So the game had to evolve and I\u2019m glad both the NHLPA and the NHL took a collaborative effort to do that, and the players took the responsibility to change the way the game was played.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think anybody\u2019s proud of some of the things that happened back in the day, but it was a different landscape back then. Intimidation was a huge part of hockey. [The game] evolved into something that is acceptable with all the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a> applications and video reviews. You can\u2019t get away with anything.<\/p>\n<p>Some of our games back when I first started playing professional hockey weren\u2019t even televised. There wasn\u2019t even a camera in the rink. And we\u2019ve brought the fans closer to the game. The fans are more knowledgeable about what\u2019s going on, not only on the ice but also behind the scenes. The culture of professional sports is more exposed than ever.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1229360\" style=\"width: 424px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" class=\" wp-image-1229360 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MARK-MESSIER-RANGERS-SMITH-OCT13.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Messier #11 of the New York Rangers holds the Prince of Wales Trophy after the Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 1994 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York (B Winkler\/Bruce Bennett Studios\/Getty Images)\" width=\"414\" height=\"615\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Messier led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup win in 1994, ending a 54-year drought (B Winkler\/Bruce Bennett Studios\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_There_seems_to_be_no_room_for_error_with_social_media_What_do_you_think_about_what_young_players_are_dealing_with_today\"><\/span>Q: There seems to be no room for error with social media. What do you think about what young players are dealing with today?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> There\u2019s a different kind of pressure on the players now that we were never exposed to, socially, politically, and the choices they make and the way they represent not only the team but also the league and the community.<\/p>\n<p>What it really boils down to is character becomes high-stakes, or of very high importance. To be able to handle it all. We don\u2019t expect anybody not to make mistakes, mistakes are part of life, it\u2019s how you learn, it\u2019s how you grow, it\u2019s how you evolve. So I think there\u2019s some forgiveness for a mistake but there\u2019s not forgiveness for a history of certain actions that aren\u2019t acceptable anymore.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Are_you_worried_that_forgiveness_isnt_always_extended_to_people_who_might_deserve_it_The_online_mob_kind_of_picks_its_targets\"><\/span>Q: Are you worried that forgiveness isn\u2019t always extended to people who might deserve it? The online mob kind of picks its targets.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> If you go down the rabbit hole of getting acceptance from people online, that\u2019s a dangerous place to be. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a good idea for anybody to be looking there for self-worth or validation, acceptance, because as we know there are people who just don\u2019t have anything better to do who will be hurtful. It\u2019s not a good place to be looking for that kind of information.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Younger_athletes_are_applauded_today_for_talking_about_the_pressure_theyre_under_and_prioritizing_their_mental_health_even_if_it_means_taking_time_away_from_competing_Do_you_think_thats_a_good_thing\"><\/span>Q: Younger athletes are applauded today for talking about the pressure they\u2019re under, and prioritizing their mental health even if it means taking time away from competing. Do you think that\u2019s a good thing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Everybody needs help no matter what position you\u2019re in, no matter where you are in your own life. The biggest thing that has come out of all of this is that there\u2019s no shame in admitting any problem, and seeking help has been very productive and helpful for a lot of folks.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_talk_in_the_book_about_conquering_negative_self-talk_and_learning_to_think_positively_about_yourself_Were_there_times_when_that_was_hard_for_you\"><\/span>Q: You talk in the book about conquering negative self-talk and learning to think positively about yourself. Were there times when that was hard for you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> I didn\u2019t think about it much as a young player, to be honest with you. I had a lot of confidence. But everybody struggles. Even at the peak of my career I would struggle at times. I was fortunate enough that we had sports psychology seminars at a very early age, basically the first year of my career when I was 18 years old. I kept it with me my whole career.<\/p>\n<p>Self-confidence is huge and a big part of that is self-talk\u2014when things aren\u2019t going well, not to be negative. You have to figure out what went wrong so you\u2019re able to move on from any failure.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_describe_taking_magic_mushrooms_at_19_as_a_transformative_experience_Tell_me_more_about_how_your_perspective_expanded\"><\/span>Q: You describe taking magic mushrooms at 19 as a transformative experience. Tell me more about how your perspective expanded.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Well that\u2019s what it did for me. I had no idea the mind was that powerful. And how could eating a natural mushroom that was organically grown create that kind of stimulus? Obviously it turned out to be an amazing experience, but more important was the question afterwards: wow, how can I use my mind to empower myself to be a better player, to be a better person, to have more energy, to create a better aura?<\/p>\n<p>So then I became interested in Eastern philosophy, meditation, Buddhism, the spirituality of Indigenous peoples. The power of the mind.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Is_spirituality_still_a_big_part_of_your_life\"><\/span>Q: Is spirituality still a big part of your life?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> It\u2019s always been a big part of my life. I grew up Catholic but was interested in a lot of Eastern philosophy. So I think spirituality became more important to me than the so-called religion I grew up with.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_obviously_took_leadership_lessons_from_these_philosophies_You_even_end_the_book_with_a_quote_from_a_Hindu_text\"><\/span>Q: You obviously took leadership lessons from these philosophies. You even end the book with a quote from a Hindu text.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> There are so many powerful lessons to be learned about the goodness that lives in everybody\u2019s heart. And creating a culture that is just so rich with humility and passion and creativity and all the things that make it fun to come to the rink, or to come to work. It\u2019s the essence of a team that can go all the way. A unique environment with the diversity of the players, of where they come from, and their ideas. And really acknowledging that and letting people shine in their own ways.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_You_talk_about_the_importance_of_diversity_and_making_people_feel_comfortable_but_people_of_colour_havent_always_felt_comfortable_in_the_NHL_What_are_your_thoughts_on_that\"><\/span>Q: You talk about the importance of diversity and making people feel comfortable, but people of colour haven\u2019t always felt comfortable in the NHL. What are your thoughts on that?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:\u00a0<\/strong>I know a huge mandate\u2014from the NHL, the NHLPA and everybody involved with the league\u2014is to grow the game. Diversify the game. Give more kids\u2014more girls, more boys\u2014access, opportunity. And it just makes sense. The Kingsbridge [Armory] project I was doing in the Bronx, that\u2019s what it was for, to grow the game and its diversity by creating access and opportunity that are just not there right now. The NHL has immersed themselves in communities and they\u2019ve taught boys and girls the game of hockey who\u2019ve become fans and who are going to continue to get more people of colour involved in the game.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0Black hockey players on loving a sport that doesn\u2019t love them back\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Do_you_think_that_in_the_past_there_were_failures_of_leadership_on_this\"><\/span>Q: Do you think that in the past there were failures of leadership on this?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:\u00a0<\/strong>I can\u2019t speak to that myself. I don\u2019t know enough to say yes or no. I think creating access and opportunity is a huge first step.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Would_you_be_tempted_to_get_involved_in_the_NHL_again_as_a_coach_or_a_manager\"><\/span>Q: Would you be tempted to get involved in the NHL again as a coach or a manager?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:\u00a0<\/strong>I think I\u2019ve always felt I could help an organization in many ways. But it\u2019s important to be with people who believe you can help. If it happens, great. If it doesn\u2019t happen, that\u2019s okay as well. If the occasion ever came where someone thought I could help them, I would be more than happy to have that conversation.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_If_the_New_York_Rangers_called_would_you_go_for_it\"><\/span>Q:\u00a0If the New York Rangers called, would you go for it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>A:\u00a0<\/strong>I don\u2019t work in hypotheticals. If the right person thought I could help their team, I\u2019d be more than willing to listen.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><em>This article appears in print in the November 2021 issue of<\/em>\u00a0Maclean\u2019s\u00a0<em>magazine. Subscribe to the monthly print magazine\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.macleans.ca\/loc\/MME\/head_subscribe\">here<\/a>.<\/em><br \/>\n<span class=\"ctx-article-root\"><!-- --><\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n<p><script async defer crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/longforms\/mark-messier-on-leadership-trust-and-magic-mushrooms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Mark Messier on leadership, trust and magic mushrooms&#8221; He\u2019s a six-time Stanley Cup winner, the second most prolific playoff-points scorer ever, a two-time most valuable player in the NHL, a 15-time all-star and the only person ever to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup championships\u2014the Edmonton Oilers, even after the departure of his great&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":356053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MARK-MESSIER-PROFILE-SMITH-OCT13-766x431.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[22974,67806,67831,117842,1931],"class_list":["post-356052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-canada","tag-editors-picks","tag-hockey","tag-mark-messier","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356052"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356052\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}