Whether you follow AFL, Soccer, Rugby, there is a common understanding among sports teams that sometimes it is necessary to overhaul the current status quo and rebuild the team in order to become more competitive and successful in the future.
As business owners in our current economic climate, there's a lot we can learn from the way our top sports teams use periods of rebuilding in order to get ahead.
In Australia, we're going through more economic changes now than we have in the last 24 years. Which means that it's the opportune time to lead your business through a period of rebuilding in order to not only survive, but thrive in the future.
I've written on the topic of rebuilding teams before, but I thought we could all use a reminder of what it takes to succeed in a period of rebuilding:
1. Belief
The number one indicator for success lies with your internal belief system.
Do you and your leadership team truly, deep down, gut-checked, know with all your heart, believe you can rebuild or rebound?
Not believing only leads to losses. Some may be small, some may be big, but over time not believing in yourself and your team’s abilities will only create disappointing failure. Take the time to list out WHY you believe you can accomplish whatever your goal is. Do it now! Reflecting on the “why” will help solidify your belief.
2. Talent
In order to rebuild anything, you must first have the talent to do so. Whether the talent is you or someone else, your business is not going to simply rebuild itself, it’s going to take the efforts of talented people who have the skills and capacity to improve your business. Your job is to identify who the talent is and build upon that. Your game strategy for the next season might require a few strategic draft picks.
3. A seasoned coach
A coach is instrumental in the success of rebuilding. Having a mentor or leader that can effectively motivate, inspire, and set the example for the team, amplifies each person's individual talent and belief. The coach creates the game plan and calls the plays. A coach’s job is to showcase the talent, make decisions for the team, make mid-game adjustments, and do whatever it takes to win. As the leader of your team, do your coaching techniques need refreshing?
4. Back-up
This is probably the most overlooked piece of the puzzle in business, but something that sports teams do well. In football, if a player is indisposed there are several back-ups available. But, in business, it is rare to have a back up for each person.
Think of someone in your office who does something that is instrumental to the company’s success; do they have a back-up? Do you have a back up plan for when someone gets sick, is laid-off, quits, or goes on maternity leave? Back-up your people, your talent, your team, your coach (as well as your hard drive) so that your business doesn't derail when one person doesn't show up.
Sports teams don't win season premierships based on dumb luck. They win because they have genuine talent, they believe that they can, they have an experienced coach leading them, and they have a back-up plan in place.
Do you want to win next season?
(Go the Cats!)
As business owners in our current economic climate, there's a lot we can learn from the way our top sports teams use periods of rebuilding in order to get ahead.
In Australia, we're going through more economic changes now than we have in the last 24 years. Which means that it's the opportune time to lead your business through a period of rebuilding in order to not only survive, but thrive in the future.
I've written on the topic of rebuilding teams before, but I thought we could all use a reminder of what it takes to succeed in a period of rebuilding:
1. Belief
The number one indicator for success lies with your internal belief system.
Do you and your leadership team truly, deep down, gut-checked, know with all your heart, believe you can rebuild or rebound?
Not believing only leads to losses. Some may be small, some may be big, but over time not believing in yourself and your team’s abilities will only create disappointing failure. Take the time to list out WHY you believe you can accomplish whatever your goal is. Do it now! Reflecting on the “why” will help solidify your belief.
2. Talent
In order to rebuild anything, you must first have the talent to do so. Whether the talent is you or someone else, your business is not going to simply rebuild itself, it’s going to take the efforts of talented people who have the skills and capacity to improve your business. Your job is to identify who the talent is and build upon that. Your game strategy for the next season might require a few strategic draft picks.
3. A seasoned coach
A coach is instrumental in the success of rebuilding. Having a mentor or leader that can effectively motivate, inspire, and set the example for the team, amplifies each person's individual talent and belief. The coach creates the game plan and calls the plays. A coach’s job is to showcase the talent, make decisions for the team, make mid-game adjustments, and do whatever it takes to win. As the leader of your team, do your coaching techniques need refreshing?
4. Back-up
This is probably the most overlooked piece of the puzzle in business, but something that sports teams do well. In football, if a player is indisposed there are several back-ups available. But, in business, it is rare to have a back up for each person.
Think of someone in your office who does something that is instrumental to the company’s success; do they have a back-up? Do you have a back up plan for when someone gets sick, is laid-off, quits, or goes on maternity leave? Back-up your people, your talent, your team, your coach (as well as your hard drive) so that your business doesn't derail when one person doesn't show up.
Sports teams don't win season premierships based on dumb luck. They win because they have genuine talent, they believe that they can, they have an experienced coach leading them, and they have a back-up plan in place.
Do you want to win next season?
(Go the Cats!)