3 Quarter Turns From My Son’s High School Soccer Team
My son just finished up his senior season as one of the captains for his high school soccer team. After an amazing ride and undefeated 19-0 regular season they lost a heartbreaker in the district finals to a cross county rival. While this loss will sting for a while I’m really impressed with these 22 young men and feel like they have taught me so many lessons during their run for a state title.
If you work in an organization that has people working with other people than you may find these Quarter Turns of value with your quest to win a Championship!
- Have Fun- While this may sound like a no-brainer, sadly many teams fail because they forget to have any fun at all, but not these kids- they were always having a lot of fun. This type of energy is so contagious and such an important ingredient for success at any level. You could tell by the smiles, joking around and laughter that surrounded these boys wherever they were that no matter the outcome they were determined to have fun.
During the course of the season they were asked to over-come all types of hardship and adversity whether it be injury, illness, pouring down rain, or things just not going their way during the course of the games. Yet somehow they managed to stay up beat and positive and always seemed to be having a lot of fun in the process.
Your business will get to overcome some adversity at one point or another and staying positive, having the right energy and right attitude and always finding a way to have a little fun in the process will go a long way. We spend a lot of time in our work environment and having fun can certainly be part of it.
- Show Your Passion- The one thing that is hard to fake in leadership and life is passion. These kids were all clearly passionate about the game, but also passionate about each other and the overall success of the team. Passion I’ve found can manifest itself in many ways. Sometimes through anger or frustration, other times through emotion and tears of both joy and sadness.
As a leader if you can’t be passionate about what you are doing, then why should anyone else? Maybe you are passionate, however if you are a “me-teamer instead of a we-teamer” then your passion isn’t helping with the success of the team.
Passion directed in the right manner is priceless. If you are going to be anywhere, then be there with all your heart and let it show.
- Lead from the Position You Play– While my son was one of the captains and certainly a leader on the team, each and every one of these kids stepped up to lead at one point or another during the season. This team lacked a true star so on any given night we never knew exactly who was going to step up and make the big shot, great pass, amazing save or defensive play that would make the difference.
The important idea here is that no matter where you are on the team, even if you happen to be on the sidelines- you get to be a leader. Sometimes you lead with the right attitude. Maybe it’s how you show up during practice? How do you conduct yourself outside the playing field? How hard do you work when no one else is watching? Leadership doesn’t lend itself only to titles or talent, it’s simply a way of being. No matter the role you play, lead from that position and others will follow.
While the ride has ended for our soccer team this year, the journey for these 22 young men especially the 13 seniors has really just begun. My hope is that each of them will take all the lessons they’ve learned and apply them as they move on the greater things.
This week ask yourself:
How much fun am I having the workplace?
Am I creating an environment for me team that allows for a little bit of fun?
How am I displaying my passion about what we do in our organization?
Would those around me describe me a passionate? If not, why not?
What are the different ways that I lead in my organization?
What are the little things I’m doing when no one is watching to get better and make those subtle Quarter Turns that will make a difference when I’m called upon?
Thoughts for the week:
Never, ever underestimate the power of having fun. –Randy Pausch
Just play, have fun, enjoy the game. –Michael Jordan
It’s fun to do the impossible. –Walt Disney
Have the passion to take action and magic will happen. –Bar Rafaeli
If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. –Bishop T.D. Jakes
Purpose is the reason you journey, passion is the fire that lights the way. –Unknown
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, than you are a leader. –John Quincy Adams
A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way- John Maxwell
Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It’s leadership. -Unknown
Cheers to your success- One Quarter Turn at a Time
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