~Michael Jordan
How can we dare challenge the above words of wisdom coming from an individual with an impressive list of achievements to his credit that overshadows his 6’.6” frame? “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time,” states his biography on the NBA website. Sure, he knows a thing or two about talent and its essential accompaniments.
“Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.” These are the words of John Wooden the head coach at UCLA winner of 10 NCAA national championships over 12 years. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame two times, back in 1960 and then once again, in 1973. Coach Wooden earned the nickname the “Wizard of Westwood.”
Every Leadership Coach continues to insist on a very moot point related to a team. In my dictionary, TEAM stands for: Together Everybody Achieves More or Together Everyone Acquires Money.” Take your pick.
There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’ spelling. It goes to infer that each member must dilute his/her identity for the sake of others to build momentum. Failure to do so leads to unpleasant loss or disaster. Teamwork requires deep knowledge of each other’s preference, style, weaknesses, strengths, and capabilities of pulling surprises. It helps the team articulate its every move, action, and strategy to its ultimate victory.
Intelligence relates to both command of one’s own faculties and that of other members’ particular action. Not only insightful intelligence related to the opponents’ game tactics, their star players’ favorite moves, and to both defense, and offense strategies helps gain an invincible lead.
Without the above two factors, talent will fall a helpless victim to the other opposition’s smarts. Talent alone cannot act as a catalyst for strong bonds of camaraderie; it needs dedication to the game, devotion to the common cause, and unqualified attention to victory throughout the session.
Given the above scenario, it shall not be hard to relate the same principles to any other important environment. We could go from commerce to manufacturing, learning and teaching, management to leadership, or family living to state governance or anywhere else. Proper preparation can take the uncertainty out of the equation and help design a comprehensive action plan that delivers sustained rewards.
I am sure the discerning readers can find a number of possible scenarios where the above faculties can create tremendous opportunities for growth. Please feel free to share your viewpoint, observation/s, and/or critiques for everyone’s enlightenment.
Thank You!
I don’t like using the sports team metaphor for a “business team”. In sport teams we do drills to iron things out. We have heated moments only for moments. We focus on action to win the carrot. Only in sales teams do I see these things; rarely in other “business teams”.
When on a sports team will we find two players discuss hours on end on who gets the ball to shoot?
Dear Chris Pehura, you are well aware of the high esteem I hold you in and yet getting such unrelated observations from your end makes me think twice whether I should respond at all. It is not because you took a wrong side or said something objectionable but because of you naivete.
Where do you see me discuss the length of discussion between players, if I may ask? I have only talked about teamwork and intelligence as the core principles for working together in order to achieve remarkable results. If you feel that is irrelevant in any business environment, no matter how big or small, I would not put my dollar in a business where you are the decision-maker.
I hope better sense prevails. Until that time, you won’t be getting any response from me on any of your posts, anywhere, Dear Sir!
Warm Regards!