The Game Plan

A PLAYBOOK FOR TEAMWORK

· Business,Sports,Life

Ever since I was a kid I have loved to play organized soccer. I was born and raised by Italian immigrants, so a passion for soccer was always a part of my world. Growing up, at home I would dribble and juggle a soccer ball around the neighborhood on my own for hours, and I played little league every year, and played for my schools' elementary, junior varsity, and varsity teams. I went to college with a partial scholarship for soccer and for academics. These days, I play for local club soccer teams when I can. I still love it. It's still a thrill.

Over the past 45 years of playing organized soccer, I've noticed a few things about what separates the successful teams from the unsuccessful ones. In addition to the obvious observation that successful teams win more, the truly successful teams have players that enjoy more camaraderie, develop more skills and specialization, contribute more individually to their teams, and ultimately have more fun!

So what can we learn from the truly successful teams, that we can incorporate into our work teams, our families, and our communities? The successful teams develop:

Clear Vision and Goals

Every successful team is united by a clear vision, and sets team goals - as a team. Whether it’s winning a league championship, a tournament cup, or simply improving their performance, a team's clearly defined objectives provide direction and fuel motivation. This is true for all teams and groups. Businesses must set clear targets, families should have shared aspirations, and communities need common objectives to work towards and achieve a better future.

Team Goals: When FC Barcelona set their sights on becoming the best football club in the world, they didn’t just wish for it; they planned for it. They developed La Masia (The Farmhouse), their youth academy, to nurture talent that fits their vision, resulting in a golden era of success.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” - Helen Keller

Roles, Responsibilities & Respect

Have you ever watched or participated in a pee-wee soccer match? Twenty-two kids swarming around the ball, all trying to connect with it but mostly kicking at each other, until the ball accidentally pops out from the middle of the pack and all twenty-two kids chase after it and repeat the process. No disrespect to pee-wee soccer; everyone is just starting out and learning the basic mechanics of the sport, trying to learn some skills, get some exercise, and have some fun. But as we seek to grow in the sport, we get introduced to the concept of strategy. We begin to see that there are other players around us. We start to understand the concept of a team, to learn our individual roles, defined territories, and build some trust in each other and ourselves. It's this sense of trust, that allows us to work together, cover more ground as team than as eleven individuals, and move the ball with intentionality rather than randomness.

Organized soccer taught me that successful teams are built on a foundation of roles, responsibilities, and respect. Each player has a specific position—whether goalkeeper, forward, midfielder, or defender. They understand their role within the team and the boundaries of their responsibilities. But it doesn’t stop there. Players also grasp the functions of their teammates and how their roles integrate with others.

Team Goals: When Real Madrid decided to bring together the Galácticos (the Galactics or Superstars), it wasn’t just about assembling star players, but about fostering a culture where leadership and collaboration were paramount to achieving collective success.

Playbook:

  • Clearly Defined Roles: Just as soccer players learn and operate their positions, team members should understand their roles within your organization. Clarity prevents overlap, increases productivity and efficiency, and ensures everyone contributes effectively.
  • Mutual Respect: Respect for colleagues’ expertise and contributions fosters a collaborative environment and is the foundation of trust. Acknowledge each other’s talents and value their unique perspectives. Allowing team members to fully own and operate their positions, allows you to fully excel in yours.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” — Phil Jackson

Skills, Strategy & Synchronicity

Exceptional soccer players possess individual skills—dribbling, passing, shooting, and more. However, the magic happens when these talents combine into cohesive plays. A team’s strategy takes individual abilities and weaves them into a synchronized whole. Practicing together—whether during training or matches—builds trust, loyalty, and camaraderie.

Team Goals: Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003-2004 was not the result of a sudden surge but the culmination of continuous improvement and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Playbook:

  • Skill Development: Encourage employees to hone their skills. Invest in training and development programs to enhance individual capabilities. A shared library of books and articles is a great, inexpensive way to have assets and learning materials on hand for development.
  • Team Strategy: Align individual strengths toward common goals. Develop strategies that leverage everyone’s talents. Remember, it’s not just about star players; it’s about the entire team working in harmony.
  • Shared Experiences: Team-building activities create shared memories. Trust is built during informal moments, fostering collaboration and resilience.

“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” - Max DePree

Trust and Reliance

In soccer, trust and reliance on teammates prevent a silo mentality. Players know they can count on each other during high-pressure situations. Similarly, businesses thrive when team members trust one another. Trust enables shared responsibility, open discussions about mistakes, and continuous learning.

Playbook:

  • Building Trust: Organize team-building events, workshops, or retreats. These relaxed settings allow colleagues to get to know each other beyond work tasks.
  • Collaboration Over Competition: Encourage collaboration rather than cutthroat competition. When team members trust each other, they share knowledge, support, and innovative ideas.

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” — Stephen Covey

Unity in Diversity

A great soccer team is a blend of diverse talents, where each player brings their unique strengths to the field. Diversity in skills, experience, and perspective is crucial. In the same way, a business thrives when it harnesses the diverse capabilities of its team members, encouraging innovation and problem-solving. Families and communities also benefit from embracing diversity, leading to a richer, more inclusive culture.

Team Goals: Imagine a soccer team where every player is a striker. No matter how skilled they are at scoring goals, without defenders or a goalkeeper, the team would be unbalanced and likely unsuccessful. The same applies to a business team where diversity in skills, roles, and perspectives ensures more comprehensive and effective strategies and robust problem-solving.

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Conclusion

Just as soccer teams celebrate victories together, businesses and entrepreneurs can achieve greatness through teamwork. Embrace these lessons from the soccer field: respect, strategy, and trust. Remember that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but we are only as strong as our weakest link; so we must develop our skills and trust and encourage those around us to develop theirs as we work together for a better future. As they say, 'Teamwork makes the dream work'.

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” — Henry Ford