I was sitting in a sales meeting when I heard Steve Scherer say for the first time, “I don’t know how this is going to turn out. That is the truth. But I am going to...
It’s been several months since I wrote or posted about my 1st and 2nd grade Bronco football team. I’m not proud to say this but I didn’t want to admit that we were 0-7 going into Saturday’s game. I was asked often, “How is the coaching going? Are you having fun?” I would smile and say “Um, it’s going okay. The kids are really learning.” Of course the next question was “How many games have you won?” GULP!!! I would reply with “We haven’t won a game...yet...but we have really improved!” People were nice and encouraged me to keep going. Every week, I would tell myself before the game that it didn’t matter if we won or lost but I was lying to myself. It absolutely mattered!
Why?
I wanted the kids to have a moment of joy, satisfaction, thrill, taste of success because they had been putting tons of work in week after week. I saw their potential and new we could do it. We prepared. We showed up with a desire to win. We had talent. So what was stopping us? We needed to work together as a team on offense and defense. That sounds so simple but its not. Neither is managing teams in business and getting them to work together.
I wanted the kids to experience four things…
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To Have Fun
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To Work Hard
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To Have A Good Attitude
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To Experience Success
It was my last game to coach my team and son as we were leaving for vacation this week. The team we were playing was ranked the second-best team in the conference. Their defense had only allowed seventy points all season and we had only scored thirty-one points all season. How in the world could we match up against them? I was talking to my son who is the quarterback and linebacker about the situation. I could see the fear take over his mind, soul and body. I brought him close to him and said “You know why we show up to play?” My son said “I don’t know.” I smiled and said “Because you never know when there might be an upset! It could be our week!” He didn’t seem to believe me but I was not giving up hope. I told the kids before the game to JUST HAVE FUN and TRY THEIR BEST! We will work together as a TEAM and not give up!
Well, I am so thankful to say that we won that game 18-6.
The team worked together for the whole game. There was only one big play from the other team that got away to score their only touchdown. The kids did everything I had trained them to do by working together. My son intercepted his first pass and ran through the entire defense. I was running with him and cheering for him to get a touchdown. The other team didn't give up and caught him at their twenty yard line. I didn't care for one second that he didn't score. I ran over to pick my son up and hug him with 100% pure love & joy for his success in life. It was one of the greatest moments in my life!
How does his apply to business and leadership?
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The only way to WIN is to work together!
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Never give up!
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Show up and put in the work!
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Your people need to hear you CHEER for them LOUDLY with PASSION!
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Let your people rest when they are tired.
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Have backups in case someone needs to step away from their position.
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Enjoy the WIN(s) every time and celebrate big!
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You can't do it alone! I had Coach Dan who was part of the older team come help me when he saw me struggling. My son Jackson (12 yrs old), older players, and parents/grandparents/siblings of the players on the field holding tackling dummies during practice. WE DID IT TOGETHER!!!!
I won’t remember the losses but I will cherish this WIN with my team and sons...FOREVER!
Go Broncos!
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