Lessons From Sports Teams
If you have kids of school going age you will surely relate to the following examples. Think about 5 year old kids playing a game of soccer - how do they play? Usually they all run around like honey bees chasing the ball, having a lot of fun, but not necessarily being very effective. By the time they get to Junior School they are generally holding their position while still following the magnetic pull of the ball. In high school the positions are much better understood and kids are far more likely to hold their position and start to think about some of the tactics involved, and required, to be successful in a game. At higher levels of the sport e.g. regional levels you see teams practising more, holding their positions and having strategies for the game. At national levels this is even more apparent and at international levels we see the highest performing teams playing extremely strategically, with tactics that have been honed and developed. Teams at this level review game analysis, actively coach and give regular feedback, seeing these as all being an essential part of the teams makeup.
If you were to select a level where you believe your team is operating at what level would you put your team at? Maybe they're more like the junior school team - loads of effort but little strategy or direction. Or like the high school team - some strategy, some tactics and with an eager desire to win but with other distractions on their time, focus and energy? Possibly your team has developed to the regional level - focused, clear on the goals and committed but needing more skill and experience to be at a top level?
Wherever your team is at, as a team leader and/or business owner, the onus is upon you to develop and grow your team. One of the things that makes sports teams such an easy crossover illustration for the business environment is that aspects like role clarity, the universal understanding of rules of the game, and the transparency of the scoreboard are all elements that are easily identifiable as core business needs. Obviously there are shortfalls in the analogy in that business is not a “win-lose” game and you can have more than one winner.
Taking what is applicable - where do you need to focus?
Is your team clear on their role; their purpose and position in the company; their communication lines?
Does your team understand the ‘rules’ of play? Are all team members aligned in this understanding and following the same values structure towards a commonly understood and desired end outcome?
Do you have transparent communication around progress towards your goals? Do team members know how they personally contribute to the success of the company and can they tell when they are winning?
Sport is fun and business should be as well. What can you implement to make work a place where your team wants to come in and win every day?
