The Playground: Are You On The Winning Team?

It’s back-to-school season across America, so what better time to revisit a place that helped mold character in our formative years than the almighty playground? Some of us may want to forget that era of our youth, especially if we were awkward, non-athletic, or possibly shy, like many of us were. No matter where you stood in your school’s social stratosphere, the playground is an enduring metaphor for learning essential life lessons that later informed our pursuit of happiness and success.

Ahh, the playground. She was a space for fun, creativity, play, and exploration. She also provided an arena for stealth competition – ground zero for fame and true glory. While fun was always front-and-center, the ultimate goal of every game was to win. Claiming victory was largely dependent upon who was on your team. In this game of life, we must still examine who’s around us, in our ear, and influencing our actions.?

So, I ask: Who’s on your team? Are you positioned to win?

Take inventory of your “team” in life, work, and play. You may find that some individuals are not equipped to help you get where you want to go. You may be thinking, “My team has good jobs and advanced degrees—of course, they are ready to win!” But I challenge you to also ask yourself: of those friends, colleagues, partners, and associates, how many have settled for mediocrity and lost their ambition? Do they handle stress in positive ways? Do they have high emotional intelligence? I encourage you to roll with a team of people who excel in different areas and defy the traditional definition of success. Even if they have a brilliant mind, you must also be sure they share your values and align with your North Star.

If you find that your team is lacking, never fear. It may just be time to press reset. A good start is to familiarize yourself with the others on the playground. Identify their strengths and weaknesses. Discover their pain points and ways you can help alleviate their problems. Also, be prepared to speak confidently about how your relationship can be mutually beneficial. This, my dear friends, is called networking. It’s the same concept that we’ve been learning since those old playground days. Put your best self forward, build genuine connections with your peers, and they’ll want to be around you and pursue success together.

A winning team isn’t always just about the players. They also have stellar coaches and leaders who maintain a clear vision and smart strategy. No matter how good you are at what you do unless you’ve been crowned the GOAT, someone is always doing it better. As you move along your professional journey, observe, learn from them, and then implement best practices that apply to your endeavors. You should strive never to be the smartest person in your circle. You should also embrace coaches and mentors with the capacity to help elevate your game. In short, effective leaders are essential to building winning teams.?

As you continue to build, remember that working with mentors and coaches is not something to be entered into lightly. You should always be careful about who you allow to pour into you because their words and influence help shape your views but can also affect your trajectory.?

Once you find good, solid people from whom you can learn, keep them close. Stand out from the crowd by showing sincere appreciation for their time and insight. That can be as simple as writing a thank you letter, volunteering for a cause they support, or some other kind gesture. When you show gratitude, remember to add value, be sincere, and communicate why you’re thankful for the time they’ve invested in you.Lastly, you’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing — winning. Assembling a great team is terrific, but it means nothing if?you?don’t perform. Determine what success and winning look like and mentally make it your singular aim.?

Winning starts with attitude and a positive mindset. When you genuinely believe you’re qualified and capable, unimaginable things start to occur. Consider basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Aside from his incredible basketball skills, he is most known for his mental prowess and relentless pursuit of greatness. He called this the “Mamba Mentality.” For Kobe, losing wasn’t an option. Greatness was his goal. He only expected success and was willing to fight for it by giving it his all on and off the court.

The mind of a champion is undeniable, and Kobe’s winning mindset was infectious. His commitment to excellence compelled nearly everyone around him to give it their all, too. This is an excellent example of what happens when you show up to win, spread positivity and inspire others. Similar to our old days on the playground, that’s called leadership. It’s also how you carry your team to success.

So again, I ask: Who’s on your team? Are you positioned to win?

Now is your time for true glory. I encourage you to take stock of who’s on your existing team and ensure you maintain a winning mindset. Sometimes the best ideas don’t win, but if you assemble a team with the right combination of talent, leadership, and execution, you can always set the bar— no matter the playground.?