In every organization, there are internal politics that can drive many decisions. Schools and athletic teams are notorious political places. Get used to it! This is not about being a Democrat or Republican; this is about how things actually get done. For some people, it may take years to figure this out. Some never do. You may encounter the politics I speak about as soon as you enter the parking lot, or maybe it is your first team meeting. Understand the political machine and learn how to play this game. You must know who your power brokers are. In a school, it could very well be the head custodian or the chief secretary. On a team, it could be your equipment manager or trainer. It sounds funny, but it can be true. You must learn how to get along with these people.

My biggest piece of advice for successfully navigating these politics is to keep your eyes and ears wide open and your mouth shut. Do your job to the best of your ability with a good attitude. It sounds so simple, yet many people have a hard time navigating this potential minefield. Think about:

• Never enter a team or school as a big mouth, know it all.
• Always be mindful and respectful of race, ethnicity and gender.
• Outstanding performances are hard to ignore. A coach wants to win, and a principal wants his or her school to shine.
• Learn how to advocate for yourself.
• A coach or a boss rarely likes to admit he or she made a mistake.
• Learn quickly that “kissing the right butt” makes the world go around. You do not have to like it, but to be successful you need to know how to use it.
• Develop new skills. Learn as many jobs as possible. Make yourself indispensable to the team or school.
• Learn gratitude.
• No one can exist on an island. Be kind to everyone. You never know when you will need someone’s help. It is easy to help kind people.

Work hard with a smile on your face. This combination of a good work ethic coupled with a great attitude will take you places. Remember that.