Tag Archives: Teamwork

It is a Long Season

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baseballislifeBaseball is back.  As a lifelong fan of baseball this is a time of renewal each year and expectation for a good season for my team and for baseball in general.  A year ago I wrote about this renewal (read here) and this year I have the urge to write again about baseball. 

Baseball, unlike other sports, has a very long season – 162 regular season games ranging from April to October.   Every team has ups and downs, last inning heroics and gut-wrenching loses.   Indeed the best teams will have more of the highs and victories, but even the best team will suffer, have bottom-out moments, and need to respond the next day. 

Baseball, with this long and challenging season, serves as a metaphor of life itself. 

One of these lessons baseball teaches us as leaders, is to remember the big picture.  Do not let today’s loss lead to tomorrow’s loss.  If today was a bad day (lost the game), let us work harder to win tomorrow.   The victor is the leader and the team that makes it through the season knowing that every hard game, every tough loss, is just a part of the whole.

There is a great baseball quote attributed to Tommy Lasorda.

“No matter how good you are, you’re going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are, you’re going to win one-third of your games. It’s the other third that makes the difference.”

Yes, back in the “real world” we strive for daily success – a victory each day is important.  Yet, this mindset is not reasonable.  There will be days where nothing works, a lost day indeed.  There are also days where everything flows, a victory with little effort.

As leaders it is our job to take that middle third of days and do what we can to turn them into victories.  Yes talent and ability are important, but a good leader and team learns from mistakes and get the best out of each person.  Contributes come from many sources and the little things indeed add up.  Go deep and win the season. 

Baseball is back, a grand teacher indeed.

Thursday Thought – Who We Are is Why We Win

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Note: Each Thursday I will post a little something to inspire us to finish the week strong. These Thursday Thoughts will be a quote, piece of music, artwork, or inspirational video.  Congratulations, you made it over the hump and let’s finish the week together.

It has been awhile.  Time for some more rowing.  My competitive rowing days helped define me and I am a better leader due to my rowing … the focus, teamwork, joy, and even pain. 

And of course, the occasional swing, when it all came together. 

Here is a video produced by the University of Washington men’s crew who won the national title in 2012.  They have a long and successful history and are the chief rivals of my school, UC Berkeley.  Competition aside, it is all about the crew and rowing as fast as possible.  I have to give it up to them, Husky Crew is an example of WeMoveTogether.

The Pistol Offense In Motion

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49ers

The Superbowl is a day away.  As a lifelong 49er fan … oh yea, good times indeed.

I feel compelled to write something today concerning the game.  There are so many story angles surrounding the teams and the competition (brother vs. brother).  Alas, my topic becomes obvious with my focus on leadership, teamwork and WeMoveTogether.

Welcome to the Pistol offense of the 49ers.  Don’t worry.  I am not going to break it down in detail (yea, like I could do that).  My focus is that of a general football fan or even those who watch the Superbowl tomorrow for the commercials.

Pistol-Offense-Scheme1Watch how the team sets up each play.  Watch the quarterback, follow his eyes.  Listen as he barks out the play including last second adjustments.  Then watch the true magic once the play begins.

The quarterback stands four yards behind the center (vs. seven yards in the shotgun formation).  He gets the ball and moves left or right.  Where is he going?  Will he pass the ball?  Even he, the quarterback does not know yet.  He is watching the defensive end or a specific linebacker to gauge the reaction to his movement.

Based on how the defense reacts, the quarterback will hand off the ball to a running back, pass or run himself.   His teammates are ready for any decision.

Touchdown!

The play and decision of the quarterback was not determined when they broke the huddle. The team practices the variety of options endless times prior to the game.  Each player, all 11 of them, has a role and needs to perform perfectly on each play.  All players contribute and depending on the quarterback’s decision each may need to be the hero.

Back to work with my vivid imagination … I gather my team together, huddled around me.  I take a knee in the center of the circle and in a patch of dirt I draw up a play.  I explain it and what I expect of each person.  Everyone nods agreement.  We break the huddle understanding that each will have a moment to shine.

“On three let’s go.  1 … 2 … 3 …. GO!”

For those who want more of the Pistol Offense:

Living in a Vision

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While planning to post on one topic yesterday I heard an amazing speech given by Chuck Pagano to his team after a victory in the NFL (American Professional Football).  As such I lost my momentum for one topic and found a new topic to ponder.

I know many people follow sports and many do not.  I love sports of all kinds.   Over time I realized that sport, for me, is storytelling.  There is drama, heroes, and moments that stand alone and change the outcome.   All of it leads to a conclusion … and end of our story.   As always with a good story, there are lessons for those willing to listen.

So I listen to the story of Chuck Pagano. 

So who is Chuck Pagano?  He is the first year coach of the Indianapolis Colts.   Last year they were the worst team in the league.   His job is to turn it around. 

Ah, our story unfolds.  Coach Pagano was diagnosed before the season with Leukemia and must undergo full-time treatment.  No football coaching allowed.  Time to focus on health.  His coaches take over while he watches from afar.   No doubt he remains involved though. 

His team is inspired by their coach and his fight.  So far this season the team is playing well and they may make the playoffs.   Of course many experts thought the team would still struggle and remain at the bottom.   The groundwork for a powerful story indeed. 

Yesterday was the first day the coach was able to remain at the stadium for the full game (watching from the owner’s box).  He spoke briefly to the team before the game and then in more detail after the game.  The team won in an inspired fashion. 

Below is both the video and the transcript of what coach Pagano said to his team.  This will stick with me for a long time just like any great story. 

His words, as with a great story, paint a picture and show how a leader can truly move people to reach goals that some think unattainable.  As the coach says, “Live in a vision … refuse to live in circumstances.”   

This story is not over.  I will continue to turn the pages and see how our hero works through the challenges set forth before him.  Like any story I want a happy ending – indeed for Coach Pagano, good health and a speedy recovery.  The world of sport and society in general need leaders like you.

“I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in a vision and you weren’t living in circumstances. Because you know where they had us in the beginning. Every last one of them. But you refused to live in circumstances and you decided consciously, as a team, and as a family, to live in a vision. And that’s why you bring things home like you brought home today. That’s why you’re already champions, and well on your way. I got circumstances. You guys understand it. I understand it. It’s already beat. It’s already beat. My vision that I’m living, see two more daughters getting married, dancing at their weddings, and then hoisting that Lombardi several times and watch that confetti fall on this fucking group right here. Several times, we’re going to hoist that baby. I’m dancing at two more weddings. And we’re hoisting that trophy together man. Congratulations.”

Oars vs. Paddles

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Yesterday was my annual trip down the river – white water rafting to be specific.  I say annual since I went twice last summer and now again this summer.  That is a trend my friend and one I hope to continue when possible in the future.

It helps to have a friend who is a former river guide and owns his own boat.   Today he is a top-notch organizational development consultant.  Check him out as time allows at VisionPoint Consulting.

Okay back to the water.  Let’s get the obvious metaphor out-of-the-way.  A trip down the river (South Fork of the American River in California) with periods of serious rapids can act as a metaphorical journey for us as leaders.   We had periods of calm water followed by periods of white water to challenge our team.  We prepared as best we could and adapted along the way.  Teamwork was vital to our success.  Leadership metaphor on the river … check.

It was a great day with just four of us handling the boat that can carry nine.  There was my friend Steve, our leader for the day.  My coworker Jeremy ready to try  new adventures and Greg, someone new to meet and get to know while working the rapids.   A great day and yea, I thought about leadership and what I was experiencing while we worked our way down the river.

Once I got the obvious metaphors listed above out-of-the-way, something else occurred to me.   It started with Steve admonishing me for calling my paddle an oar.  We are on a raft and that is a paddle I am holding.

My DNA is fixed and for me it is an oar.  I rowed and raced competitively for seven years in high school and college.  I am formed from my days as a crew member and rower.  It felt great to hold a tool to work through the water and propel my boat forward.   For me I held an oar, but Steve was right.  It was a paddle and I was in a very different type of boat.

So I go deeper into metaphor to look at oars and paddles and what they teach us as leaders.

The oar represents my crew days.  We raced and absolute precision and teamwork was the rule.  We strived for “swing” where the boat becomes one and we move the boat with an effortless feeling.  Our oars connected us to the water and served to balance our strokes.  One would think we had a death grip on those oars, but no.  We held them with a light touch and felt the energy from the crew moving the boat forward ever faster.  With the oar in hand, we hurt.  We were athletes pushing to the limit.

Alas, yesterday I did not hold an oar.  It was a paddle and we were in a white water raft.  Indeed we had to work together, but it was very different.  There was no precision.   We were committed though, not to be fast, but to find the right line and fight through the rapids.  Each of us got knocked down and knew it was vital to get back up and paddle as our lives depended on it.  With the paddle there is a general plan to get down the river.  We adjusted along the way and had a great run.  With the paddle in hand, we smiled and could not wait for the next rapid.

Both the oar and the paddle have one thing in common.  A commitment to the boat and her crew.   Today’s post was full of metaphor of how a trip down the treacherous white water can remind us what is important for team work and leadership.  It also served to remind me of my days holding an oar.

The oar and the paddle – tools for WeMoveTogether.

Last year’s trip. That is crazy me in the front of the boat wearing a hat. Paddle in hand. Notice the smiles.

Potluck Math

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Okay, I need to be honest with myself.  This will not work.  I tried to tie-down a crockpot to the rack on my bike.   There is no way I would make it to work without spilling the contents stored in the crockpot.

Alas, today I need to drive the car into work - it is potluck day.  A serious workday indeed.

You have to understand, I work with professional potluck folks who know how to plan and execute on a great department potluck.  I love to cook and always contribute to these potlucks.

Yet truth be told … I love to eat more than cook and a well put together potluck is a dream.

As usual there was more food than we could eat today.   It was enough food for an army.  It got me thinking … how can we look at a typical potluck mathematically.   We should be able to plan our potluck to have just enough food.

Here is how I work out the numbers:

  • Start with 50 people bringing in food for the potluck

  • Each person generally makes enough for 10 people

  • As such we have 500 portions

  • Yet as we line up to grab food to fill our plate, each person takes maybe 5 servings

  • So we use 250 servings or half of the total available

As such we planned for a one time department potluck and finish with enough food for a second day.  Maybe it is just good food with good people.  Maybe it is more and a lesson for each of us.

Contribute more than you consume. 

We Move Together

Time to Get Muddy

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A coworker sent me a link to a race she signed up for later in the year.   Good for her and I always want to be supportive so I checked out the website.

Wow, this is off the charts!  Have you heard of Tough Mudders?  If no, then here is your introduction.   I double dare you to recommend this for your next leadership retreat.

From their website here is the Tough Mudder Pledge:

  • I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
  • I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
  • I do not whine – kid’s whine.
  • I help my fellow mudders complete the course.
  • I overcome all fears.

Hum, maybe a pledge for all of us, muddy or not.   I am just saying.

Check out the Tough Mudders site and watch the video below.   It is time we all toughen up.

Seat Racing: On the Water, In the Office

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“Okay, bring the boats together.  Let’s switch five and six.” 

The seat racing continues.  We are all tired, wet and sore.  Some guys feel sick and yep, someone just threw-up over the side of the boat.

Welcome to college rowing where you spend the entire school year in preparation for a few sprint races in late Spring.  It is said for college athletes, the ratio of practice hours to actual competition time is highest for rowing.   It is not just a sport, rowing becomes a way of life.  To this day one of my life joys was rowing; the endless practice time on the water and the competition itself.

I started this post with a memory of seat racing.    What is seat racing?  It is a process to fine-tune the boat of eight oarsmen.  After all the hours of practice it is time to choose who makes the top boat.  Rowing is as old-school as it gets.  There are varsity, junior-varsity, and Freshman crews.  You do not see that in other college sports.  Rowers love the history of the sport and the continuation of the traditions.  One such tradition is the seat race process. 

With seat racing you race two boats against each other and then switch out individual crew members.  Again you race.  Then switch one or more rowers.  Yet another race.  It is not a crew vs. another crew.  It is individuals rowing against each other.

Why do we have seat racing?  The coach should know his best crew by then – you have rowed together for months in different combinations.  It is not that simple.   There is something amazing about a great crew.  It is a team – eight people moving together as one.   Yet it is hard to gauge how well a boat will perform until it is on the water racing for victory.  There is the simple math of adding together individual physical ability, but something more too.  

The best crews have a spirit that can not be defined, only witnessed. 

What is the best mix of eight men or women to define that spirit and make the boat move fast?  That is what seat racing does.  We switch out the parts until the best, most spirited, and fast boat is discovered.

From my experience, magic happens during seat races.  Individuals that you do not expect to perform help the boat move fast.  Others who we expected to move the boat fast, do not add a spark.

This is not just a story from my past.  I see the connection from on the water seat racing to our business lives.  Too many organizations do not allow for the best teams.  This person has the experience and as such is on the team.  Yet is this the “fastest” team?  Does this team perform at a level better than other combinations of people?  In many cases the answer is no.  I have been there and so have you.

Ideally we need seat racing in our business lives to differentiate people and to find that spark that leads to the so-called “fastest boat”.  A great team can move mountains and so often we fall short of creating the best team.  It is not just the overall membership on a team.  Seat racing allows a crew to work out the best boat structure (who sits where) and even leadership.  In business we find that the same folks fill the same positions on teams.  Are we open to a shake-up occasionally and try folks in different roles?     To continue with my rowing metaphor – we may be able to get more speed and performance by rearranging the team members and their roles.   We do not know unless we try. 

Just some thoughts on teamwork today – from the water and into the office. 

Here is a little taste of boat racing along with some honest commentary. 

The Beautiful Game

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While I was raised in California I support a team across the world in London, The Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League.  You may know that Chelsea just won the Champions League title this past Saturday in Munich against the favored home team, Bayern Munich.  For folks in the States, Chelsea just won the Super Bowl.  Throughout their regular season, Chelsea did not play exceptionally well.   Yet, out of adversity they pulled it together and persevered as a team to the end.   On a personal level I am very happy.  On a professional level I find lessons here for us as leaders.  Chelsea football and their run to the top club in Europe this year serves as a great example for all of us, sport fan or not.

The season started with much hope as Andre Villas-Boas joined Chelsea as the new manager.  It all fell apart as the season progressed.  The biggest mistake for the new boss?  He alienated and poorly communicated with the established veteran players on the team.   Many of us have stepped up to lead a new team.   We  know to build relationships with the team members especially the experienced team leaders in the group.   For Chelsea the new manager did such a poor job of communicating that the team results suffered and eventually the ownership fired the new coach, less than one season into his tenure.

The man who took charge to finish the season was Roberto Di Matteo.  He quickly sought out the experienced team members and brought them back into the fold.  From all reports he communicated well with his team and brought back a positive energy.  Chelsea began to win again.  Outside observers said over and over that Chelsea was lucky and good fortune was smiling on them.  If you allow me to say, we can create our own good luck by how well we treat our team members, communicate with them, and focus on our joint success.

Di Matteo also knew the strengths and weaknesses of his team.   In a nutshell, Chelsea could not play the open-field attacking game against the top clubs and expect to win.  Their strength was defense and taking advantage of that one opening to counterattack.   They did it to perfection.  For us as leaders understanding our team strengths and leveraging them is critical.  We need to recognize our team weaknesses too and decide on how best to resolve any shortcomings.

It was a magically end to a crazy season for my team Chelsea.  The interim manager, who I hope they hire full-time,  in his own quiet way demonstrated such strong leadership.  His team followed his lead and became closer, more united, and flat-out believed.   Such a team yours or mine, moving together, can move mountains.

Thursday Thought – Back to the Boat

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Note: Each Thursday I will post a little something to inspire us to finish the week strong. These posts will be either a quote, a piece of art, or short video. Congratulations, you made it over the hump and let’s finish the week together.

Once a rower, always a rower.  It has been years since I have rowed on the water, but I can still taste it.  I can still smell it.  I can still feel the oar in my hands, working with seven other men to propel the boat faster and faster.  Rowing (or Crew) is amazing and can serve as inspiration for all of us with its ultimate teamwork and grounding for leadership.  It hurt so much; yet once a rower I can accomplish anything. I invite you to get in the boat yourself and experience the magic.  Enjoy this video.

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