Team Culture IS the Game by David Benzel

There’s an exercise done in corporate workshops in which people are divided into teams and each one is given a problem to solve.  The teams soon become aware that they don’t have everything they need to solve their problem; in fact the other teams have some of what they need.

 

Through negotiation and trading eventually a team solves their problem at which point they think the game is over.  It’s NOT over.  The game’s not over until all teams have what they need, and every team has a responsibility to make that happen.  The point of the exercise is that what one team sees as its mission is actually a small part of a larger mission involving others.

 

Today we have an epidemic of athletic teams that are dedicated only to their own mission, their own egos, and their own scoreboard. This is partially true because we have an abundance of coaches who do not understand that “the game’s not over until we all win.”  By that I mean, until every athlete has been given the tools to learn, grow, and develop as a human being, not just an athlete; until every official leaves a game having been shown a full measure of respect; until every child has experienced the uplifting of his/her spirit through the struggle of healthy competition; until the act of competing brings out the best in everyone.

 

The incident at John Jay High School in which two football players deliberately hit Back Judge Robert Watts in the closing minutes of a game against Marble Falls, demonstrates again how important team culture is as an influence on the thinking of individuals within the team.  In this case an assistant coach actually suggested the ambush as a way to “get even” with the referee.  What kind of culture is that? It’s the kind that brings out the worst in all of us.

 

Sports will be played differently, and young men and young women will think differently when coaches take this litmus test about their leadership:  “Are my players becoming wiser, healthier, more mature and respectful of others as a result of my leadership?  Are they themselves more likely to lead responsibly, and grow true champions for life in the future?”

 

Parents have the right to insist on credible and honorable leadership from coaches so that young athletes learn to commit themselves to the well-being of other athletes – and officials – even if they’re not on “our team.”

The Austin Tennis Academy is committed to helping its students maximize their college choice through the tennis experience, and become citizens of significance — not just accomplishment.

 

In addition to its six day per week after-school academy, ATA is also home to ATA College Prep, a fully accredited private school.  ATA College Prep students participate in a morning practice, an afternoon academy program, as well as a full day of teacher driven college prep classes.

 

ATA has 12 hard courts, two red clay courts as well as 3000 square feet of fitness training space and school and classroom space.

Thursday, October 15th

9:00 pm EST

45-minute live webinar plus Q&A with David!

Click Here to Register Now!

Integrity is more than simple honesty. It’s the key to success. A person with integrity has the — often rare — ability to pull everything together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances. Drawing on experiences from his work with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and individual leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and nationally syndicated radio host, shows how our character can keep us from achieving all we want to be. In “Integrity,” Dr. Cloud explores the six qualities of character that define integrity.

Hot Button Cards cover 24 specific situations, giving you an insightful perspective as well as three useful strategies for each challenge parents may face.

 

You’ll receive positive and creative suggestions for multiple scenarios, plus other common opportunities to help your child be successful in sports and in life.

– Dr. Wayne Dyer, Motivational Author & Speaker