It’s not what is on the wall
Take home message
VALUES, LEADERSHIP, SAFETY.
THREE KEY CONCEPTS FOR TEAM SUCCESS.
For Coaches
Are you developing a safe environment for your colleagues and athletes to experiment and make mistakes?
For Athletes
Your coaches (leaders) may set the direction, but you need to help drive culture.
I was fortunate to be involved in a leadership series recently where I was asked to share some of my experiences in team sports. On the day, prior to my talk, I was privileged to hear the other presenters. It is always wonderful to hear other viewpoints and perspectives that better articulate what I can struggle to define. Here’s three key points that resonated with me.
Values. Don’t ask me, watch me. Meaning, if someone was to follow you in your day-to-day role, they will work out your values by your actions, not by what you say. It is not what is written on the wall. I think children mirror their parents behaviour. Do our athletes mirror the behaviour of senior leaders?
Leadership. A leader can set or direct culture, but all of the team are responsible for driving it. The idea that the leader is the once source of all knowledge is just wrong. In a team, it is shared. In my S&C realm within the team, I am responsible for driving culture in that S&C domain. But I am just as responsible for driving and upholding culture in every other area of the team environment I am in.
Psychological safety. One of the facilitators presented findings on a Google project that identified five key factors of high performing teams. It is probably no surprise that they include: psychological safety, resonant purpose, team members have meaning, clear team roles and dependability. Team members need to feel safe to experiment and make mistakes in pursuit of the team goal. I know I have the trust and support of my coaches and athletes to work hard to the edge of making mistakes but it is ok. I can work quite well without making mistakes, but then I won’t be pushing the edge of my development. It is not a reckless, who cares if I make a mistake attitude. It is a work hard and try even though it might fail, attitude. Trust is an important component in a team.
Maybe consider these three areas of values, leadership and psychological safety as you go about your craft this week.
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Thanks again. BA.