Winning Teams

I’ve been thinking about the concept of winning teams all weekend.

Watching the NCAA Wrestling Tournament highlighted every lesson on individual leadership a person could ask for: focus, resilience, persistence, and more. But I also spent my time focusing on two other arenas that had me thinking about teams that perform at a high level: basketball and theater. From Arizona’s high-flying offense to Iowa State’s suffocating defense, a contrast in 64 styles were on display the past four days. On a much smaller - but perhaps more important personal stage - I also got to see Shrek Jr. this weekend at the Madison Junior School. My twin daughters Annie and Lily were a part of the show, and I got to see two of the four performances.

While both arenas are different in so many ways, it struck me that in their respective venues, teamwork is crucial to success. Here are three quick takeaways from my weekend observations and reflections about what makes winning teams.

WINNING TEAMS ARE PREPARED

Last year, Purdue was in the headlines for the ignominious distinction of being only the second top seed in history to lose in the first round. This year, in dismantling Grambling and Utah State, the Boilermakers look like a well-oiled machine. They are a team who appears physically and mentally prepared to compete with excellence!

For the past few weeks, I had been wondering why my daughters’ rehearsals were running until 5:30 or 6:00 PM every night. This weekend, I understood why! To get the acting, singing, blocking, and choreography down - for 30+ middle schoolers no less - is no small feat. To be ready when the lights go on in the arena or the theater, there is no substitute for consistent, thorough practice.

WINNING TEAMS ADAPT

On opening night, I asked my daughter Lily how the show went. Always a perfectionist, she launched into sharing how she missed her entrance for her song  “Make Your Move” and had to ad-lib a little to catch up. It dawned on me that those moments are the gifts that live performances give you: while you may be prepared, there are always unexpected moments from you and others, and you have to work with each other in the present to make the magic happen.

The same is true on the court. In the round of 32, Creighton was in a 2OT war with Oregon. At 7 foot 1, Ryan Kalkbrenner is known for his defense; in fact, he is a three time winner of Big-East Defensive Player of the Year. He and his teammates had few answers to stop Oregon’s top two scorers of Cousinard and Dante for most of the game. But after Cousinard missed a layup early in the 2nd OT, Kalkbrenner drained a rare three, igniting Creighton to score the first fifteen points to put the game away and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The game or the show may not always go according to plan - but you’ve got to adapt to the moment!

WINNING TEAMS CARE FOR EACH OTHER

There are many basketball teams loaded with individual talent - but that doesn’t always spell success. When you see the teams on the court who gel, often times, the roots are strong off the court. Before 12 seed James Madison upset 5 seed Wisconsin, I caught a clip of teammates vlogging, having a great time, and sharing how they relied on one another all year long off the court as friends.

I saw the same cast synergy in my daughters’ play. After the final show of Shrek Jr. was over on Sunday, the entire cast broke into a spontaneous encore of “Dancing Queen” by Abba! I also saw a few tears during the cast party, as the group that had bonded for three months was sad their shared experience was over. 

When you get a team that is invested in each other, the outcome is so much greater than just caring about yourself.

This juxtaposition of successful teams in two different arenas was so illuminating for me this weekend! So as you look ahead to Q2, my question for you is this:

Where is the pulse of your team right now, and how can you elevate it heading into the next quarter?

I wish you the best of luck in embracing your team’s challenges this week!