INTERVIEWING A LEGEND Written by Krystal Covington, Founder of Women of Denver As a young woman I have often imagined sitting next to a living legend, someone whose accomplishments left me in awe, to ask themhow they achieved each milestone of their life. I knew it would never come to pass, but it was a way for me to imagine a coach outside myself who could instruct me on how to navigate the complex choices of career and adulthood.
You can?t predict what your ?moment? might be, but you must be prepared for it. As a kid I remember being told that successful people have a goal and they strive for it. I always believed that meant knowing you?d be a CEOand going after that, or making it a goal to win a specific championship, but sometimes there are moments in life that we can?t predict will come our way.
Little did I know in 2018 the opportunity would actually present itself. I still remember sitting down for the meeting. I?d received a message fromthe Women?s Foundation of Colorado, an organization I?d been supporting since moving to Denver, to discuss a potential partnership. No information was given, but to me it didn?t matter what the job was, I was ready to serve in whatever capacity the organization needed.
Billie Jean King?s first big claimto fame was a 1973 tennis match called the Battle of the Sexes, which was viewed live by about 90 million people worldwide. Her moment came when self-titled Chauvinist Pig Bobby Riggs made the claimthat he could beat any woman in a tennis match because men are by nature stronger and more equipped for sports. BJKwas his second challenger and she welcomed the chance to stand up for women in a televised game.
CEOLauren Casteel sat at the head of the table and asked ?Krystal, do you know why you?re here??I said, ?No, but I?mhappy to discuss how I can support.?
In the end, Billie Jean King reigned victorious.
I was then informed that I had been selected to interview tennis legend and women?s equality icon, Billie Jean King, at their largest luncheon to date, expecting over 3,000 guests. I remember my mind going blank, not realizing this was something I could even be considered for, but knowing I was ready to take the responsibility and have the opportunity to fulfill the dreamof my youth. I happily accepted and got to work spending months in preparation to research and understand as much about Ms. King as humanly possible. Between the research, phone conversations with BJK(our abbreviation for her), and the culminating interview I?ve learned 3 key lessons fromthe life of this living legend.
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Moments like this cannot be predicted, but when they come, it?s important to seize themand win! King was successful because she made it her life?s mission to be the best tennis player she could be and to be ready for any opponent. She was also prepared to manage pressure, so she could take on challenges without allowing her natural fears and stressors to take over when the big moment came her way. Similarly, we may not know when unpredictable moments will come along, but if we prepare ourselves, master our craft, and focus on the challenge ahead, we can succeed each and every time.
