LESSONS FROM THE GOALPOST

“A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork.” –John Wooden

Players led teams must respect, support, and encourage all on the team. Working against a team culture should not be tolerated. The TEAM will be the most valuable experience within any program. People may not always remember how you play, but they will remember how they are treated. Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much. Teamwork is the fuel that common people use to achieve uncommon results. Your greatest legacy will not be your performance as a player, but your impact as a teammate. If you want to make a difference, I am going to lay out 4 traits that can make you a great teammate: 

1. Sacrifice Time: I love the verse, “There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for a friend.” So often we hear that passage and take it to the immediate extreme of risking life or death. However, the word “life” can also be defined as a timeframe. Time is precious, and there is no better way to show love to a teammate than to give up your time for them. This means you are going to have to sacrifice what you want in the moment, for what that person needs in the moment.
2. Listen to Understand: No one is immune to dealing with life problems, and we all need someone that we can trust to unload our issues. Be the person that can listen without judgement and confidentially. Meet them at their level and listen intently. If you have ever been through adversity, then that qualifies you to share your story. The greatest way to make someone feel “not alone”, is to know someone else has gone through hard times too… Leverage your story!
3. Speak the Truth: Realize that the truth and genuine accountability unlocks our potential. The truth is meant to bring out one’s best, not to belittle them. Great teammates are able to communicate the truth when that individual is headed in the wrong direction. Straightforwardness is the intermediate between exaggeration and belittling. We all need people in our lives that hold us accountable to a high standard because they care for us. Nobody can be successful alone… Be a teammate that uses the truth to make people better.
4. Fill a Need: This is the key fundamental principle of every great business. They offer a product that feels a great need. Needs can be simple as a ride home, a place to stay, providing a meal, or helping a teammate learn their position. The fastest way to take a relationship to another level is to fill a need. The best teammates are relentless… they are always looking for ways to connect and help others in the program. Be that person!

RECAP

1. SACRIFICE TIME 
   • THIS IS OUR GREATEST CURRENCY
   • NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO GIVE UP YOUR TIME
2. LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
   • MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE… CONNECT AT THEIR LEVEL
   • HELP THEM AT THE LEVEL OF YOUR HURT… LEVERAGE YOUR STORY
3. SPEAK THE TRUTH
   • UNLOCKS OUR POTENTIAL
   • STRAITFORWARDNESS IS THE INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN EXAGGERATION AND BELITTLING
4. FILL A NEED
   • EVERY GREAT BUSINESS IS BUILT ON THIS BASIC PRINCIPLE
   • TAKES RELATIONSHIPS TO ANOTHER LEVEL

“YOU CAN EASILY JUDGE ONE’S CHARACTER BY HOW HE TREATS THOSE WHO CAN DO NOTHING FOR HIM.”