Timeout for Leadership-your one-minute leadership idea

Game time adjustments #7

Is the sum better than the individual parts?

Fact:   The sum, coached right, is always better than the individual parts.

Earlier in the week a former player that I coached posted online two pictures from our State Championship football team from 1984.  One picture had me posed with my four captains and the other picture had me posed with all of my seniors. It brought back some great memories.  It brought back some of my competitive spirit.  And as I looked at those pictures, I started to do some serious reflection. 

What made this team a championship team?  It was not loaded with superstars.  Of course, we had our share a superb high school players.  They were skilled young athletes.  However, I believe what made this team a champion was the ability of each player to check his ego at the door and forget about everything hut the common goal of winning some games.  This proved to be a perfect example of the sum of each individual’s talent was much better than their individual talent.

We came together.  We developed a sort of chemistry.  After some preseason hiccups the players began to police themselves.  They seemed to know what it would take to win and they made the appropriate sacrifices. No player was given a pass by his teammates.  They held each other accountable.

Yes, we developed a culture and climate conducive to winning.  Each person associated with the team from me as the head coach, to our statisticians and ball boys bought into this concept.  Each person was an integral part of this culture.  Each person worked to sustain it.  It was a joy to be part of this team. It was a joy to coach them. 

As I moved into the ranks of administration, eventually serving as the principal of this high school and ultimately the superintendent of the same district, I always worked to somehow replicate this culture within the schools.  Unfortunately, I was never as successful building the culture of a school that could compare to that team’s personality and attitude.  Yet, I think the concepts are clearly transferable.  I came close to replicating it a few times, but was never quite able to build that same type of chemistry.

So, what was missing?  Let me share some of my thoughts.

• The team had clearly defined goals that everyone knew.  Sometimes, in the schools, goals and objectives became too large, too many and too confusing. We had a shared vision.
• Pride was an essential characteristic of the team.  I never was able to see the same sort of pride in the school or district.  For many, working in the schools was just a job and a paycheck.
• The players had each other’s backs.  In the schools, too many people were looking to stab each other in the back rather than to support a colleague.
• Players held each other accountable.  Teachers remain reluctant to do this and I am convinced that no substantial change in a school or system will take place until this sort of mutually accountability happens.
• On the team, the communication channels were clear. Each person knew where they stood at any given time.  Feedback was timely and candid, yet it was done with a compassionate component.  Everyone was valued.  I missed this in the school.  Many times, communication channels were fuzzy and rarely did I use the candor with my teachers that I used with my players.  I think they would have appreciated it and grown more from it.  I made it clear to my players how to get better.  I am not sure I did this with my teachers and staff.
• My assistant coaches were teachers, constantly teaching and coaching up. In the schools, too much negativity dominated.  We seemed to coach people “down.”
• The team celebrated success.  The school and the district never took time to celebrate any wins.

I probably could go on and on about this topic and this discussion would in all likelihood make a powerful chapter in my next book. 

And by the way, this was the last football team at the school to win a state championship.  Yes, 26 years ago.  When you are going through it, you think that it will always be so easy to replicate.  It isn’t.

That team was special.