Fans who attended the taping described the emotional finale, Keith’s youngest daughter singing her father’s song “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” as the concert’s highlight.
The title and lyrics of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” emerged from a conversation Keith had with Clint Eastwood during a 2018 celebrity golf tournament.
While sharing a cart, Eastwood mentioned that he would be turning 88 years old in two days and that he planned to celebrate the occasion by commencing work on The Mule, a film based on the true story of an octogenarian WWII veteran who worked as a courier for a Mexican drug cartel.
Marveled by Eastwood’s vitality, Keith asked what the secret was to the actor remaining so youthfully energetic. Eastwood replied, “I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in.”
Keith instantly knew he had the title for a new song.
In Keith’s song, the “old man” is a metaphor for death. As people age, they tend to drift towards contentment. It becomes easier to sit and reflect than to engage in invigorating activities that perpetuate vitality. This situation leaves older people doing little more than waiting to die.
I’ve been thinking about how this song’s message relates to the art of being a good teammate—and I think it has tremendous relevance.
For individuals on a team, the “old man” isn’t the entity to be kept out, it’s the “bad teammate.”
The bad teammate will always default to the ease of self-interest. He will always choose what’s best for himself over what’s best for his team. He will always pursue personal agendas ahead of team objectives.
The bad teammate never practices compassion, kindness, or patience. He never considers how his choices affect anyone else. He’s content to be self-centered, self-serving, and selfish.
The bad teammate is ever looming. As humans, we are naturally inclined to think of ourselves first and weigh our choices from the perspective of our personal benefit.
In the same spirit as Clint Eastwood’s response to Toby Keith, the key to remaining a good teammate is to not let the bad teammate in.
This means resisting the urge to cave to natural inclinations, possessing the courage to be resolute, sacrificing for the greater good, and forgoing self-indulgence that comes at the expense of team progress.
When he rides up on his horse, and you feel that cold bitter wind, look out your window and smile. Don’t let the bad teammate in.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
