Build Great Teams with 4 Rules I’ve Learned Coaching Youth Sports

Teams are all similar at their core–working together to accomplish a goal. I love how sports parallel life. Through coaching hundreds of kids over the years with great mentors and co-coaches, attending coaching clinics, listening to successful business owners/managers, and through my own work experience on various work and volunteer projects, I recommend these four rules to help team performance:

1.      Have Fun

This sounds simple, but an overwhelming majority of kids drop out of youth sports by age 13. This is often due to poor coaching and not having fun. Even superstar athletes need positive reinforcement along with constructive criticism. With the amount of time employees spend at work it only makes sense to be positive and have fun. Having fun also leads to higher employee engagement and productivity.

2.      Work Hard

Putting in your best (100%) effort creates opportunities, which in turn gives you more chances to succeed (and score goals!). It’s hard to be upset with a teammate who is giving their best. It also pays dividends to work smart too-–knowing when to pace yourself and knowing when to sprint. Avoid confusing movement with progress as activity doesn’t equal achievement.

Putting in your best effort creates opportunities

3.      Make Your Teammates Look Good

It’s no secret that the best teams work together collaboratively to achieve their goals. It’s difficult to win by yourself. Pairing groups of diverse individuals with different skill sets within teams helps play to your team’s strengths. By putting people in opportunities to succeed it elevates everyone’s game.

4.      Respect

Respect goes both directions and to multiple parties— managers, peers, direct reports. My sports teams respect six parties: their self, teammates, coaches, the opponent, referees, and parents. When all team members and team leaders respect each other, it builds trust and relationships. This leads to loyalty as well as accomplishing rules one through three.

We may not win all of our games, but I believe if my players can follow these four rules they will succeed in life. What is your best tip for building a successful team?

See you out on the field!