Teams Beat Talent When Talent Isn't a Team

A connected team is a more committed team. The more connected you are to each other, and the more committed you are to each other, the more you will fight for each other and not with each other. There is a great quote that says, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." There is another great quote that says, "Teams beat talent when talent isn't a team."

One thing that every coach and every athlete, especially the leaders of the team, can do is work hard to connect with their teammates. The best teams are connected and work together. The best teams become a family.

I often say that you have to catch the fish before you can clean it. This means that you have to connect with and build relationships with your teammates before you can lead them.

Connection doesn't happen by accident. You have to connect on purpose. You have to invest in relationships and team building, and you have to invest in it every day. Think about how you talk to your teammates. Think about how you treat them. Are you helping them or hurting them? Are you connecting with them or creating separation. Are you bringing people together?

Athletes, take the time to get to know your teammates, and coaches do the same. Coaches, create time and opportunity for your teammates to get to know you and each other. Ask them what they are excited about on and off the court. Ask them what their biggest fears are. Ask them what they are confident about and what they struggle with. A four-question conversation that I use is:

1 - What is one thing that you are excited about this week?
2 - What is one thing that you feel really good about or confident with on our team?
3 - What is one thing that you aren't comfortable with or are struggling with?
4 - What can I do to help you with this.

In The Power of a Positive Team, Jon Gordon dedicated a chapter to the importance of communication and connection in great teams.

Here is a list of 7 different team-building activities that you can do. Some of these come from his book. These work for coaches and players, and they have the power to completely transform your team:

1 - If You Really Knew Me
Start with the prompt, "If you really knew me you would know this about me: ______________________________________________________________

2 - Share a Defining Moment
Have each person share one moment that has defined their life. It could be something positive or negative.

3 - The Safe Seat
Focus on one athlete. Have them sit in the safe seat in the middle of the circle and ask them three questions: one about their life, one about their family, and one about a defining moment. The coach might want to be the first one and model for their team how to do it.

4 - The Triple H: hero, highlight, and hardship
Each teammate talks about one of their heroes and shares why they admire them. Then each teammate shares a positive highlight and one hardship that they have had to overcome. Starting with a hero helps lead off with a positive ice breaker before getting deeper.

5 - The Hard Hat
Each teammate shares what they think the characteristics of a great teammate are by asking the simple question, "What is a great teammate?" Write all of the answers on the board and have each person adopt one and write down or share how they are going to use it to be a great teammate.

6 - One word
Have each team member chose one word that will drive them to be their best and help bring out the best in their teammates. You can do that at the start of the week, the start of the practice, or the start of the season. Have them write it down and write down how they will use this word.

7 - One Strength, One Weakness, How Can I Help
Have each player think of one strength, one weakness, and one way that the coaching staff or their teammates can help them maximize their strengths and grow their weaknesses.

For more, check out The Power of a Positive Team.