The Team

The pursuit of a career in a professional team sport is inherently selfish. 

Often from a young age, players have been made to feel as though they’re different. In some cases, those around them have been required to compromise their personal goals to support the dreams and aspirations of the young athlete. 

This changes the second they enter the elite sport environment. 

Team sport places its highest value on selflessness – the part of you that you are required to ‘give up’ or ‘sacrifice’ for the good of the team. 

This is not an opt-in/opt-out scenario, the competition and the expectations of coaches and teammates demand it. 

So how do leaders create this attitude in their organisations?

, it starts with two questions, not as a one-off, but as a regular part of your leadership narrative and embedded into your daily practice. 

They are:

What do you bring to the team?
What will you give to the team?

Yes, we bring our experience and expertise, but there is some part of ourselves that we are required to grow and develop, or let go, for the good of the team. 

It is a very powerful and often emotional exercise.

 

At your next team meeting, give it a try.