Life Lessons from Athletics: Teamwork

I was a junior at Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA, when we won the state basketball championship — a championship no one expected us to win.

Two years prior, we’d only won four games the entire season, and now here we were, winning the state trophy.

Despite the bevy of teams who were more heralded and talented than us, we had some things going our way:

1. We hit our stride at just the right time in the season, and
2. We’d learned how to work together as an effective and powerful team

Thanks to our coach, we’d become players who knew how to work together, take care of each other, and sacrifice ourselves for the team. We’d developed belief, work ethic, and resiliency. And, we’d dedicated ourselves to a collective effort to perform at the highest level we could.

It worked.

That experience taught me the importance and value of teamwork and helped me realize that any type of success I have involves some kind of collective effort.

I now see teamwork all around me. I see it daily in my family — my ultimate team — as we draw on the support of each other to accomplish everything that needs to get done.

I see it in my job as I collaborate with other people and departments, consistently having to work with others and contribute what I know in a way that adds value to the group, as well as gain value from them.

I bet you notice teamwork all around you, too.

It could be through a team sport or an individual sport, a project at school or work, or a family goal. No matter what you’re working toward, there’s very little that can be achieved without the help of at least one other person.

So I encourage you to keep your mind focused on teamwork, and maybe ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I taking the opportunities I have to help others?
• What strengths do I have that could add value to the team?
• How can I encourage others to use their talents and make a bigger impact
• How can I allow others to help me?

There are a lot of times in life where we’re vulnerable and in need of help from other people, and there are other times we have the time, talent, or ability to greatly impact someone else.

Choose to be a part of the team. Give what you can and receive what you need.

If you do, everyone will be better for it.

I want to hear from you!
Please leave a comment below and let me know…

What is one example of teamwork you’ve seen in your life recently?