Team- a feeling of belonging

This article is about the trilogy movie series of the Mighty Ducks with their coach Gordon Bombay. I am a huge sucker for any kind of sports movies. Let me be upfront- this is no Denzel Washington or Al Pacino movie. I like to take my sports spirit and enthusiasm anywhere I can get it. And this has so many rise to the occasion, inspiring moments that I absolutely love 

 Lesson 1: Importance of defense

“Dont be careless but don't be too careful either”

 Unlike scoring defense never quits. It’s a continuous job. It’s easy to be confident when you have control, but maintaining that confidence with the bounces that life throws at you is critical. So true in life, continuously keep on improving yourself while trying for those external wins.

 We cannot be afraid to lose. And that is how the continuous attack is possible even when we don’t have the control

You need not win on the first shot- but keep at it with the second shot or the third shot or the fourth! What is important is to continue!

Lesson 2: Get back to the basics

“Concentration – Not Strength”

 We all have unique skills. Make sure that you keep refining them. Harness your weapons. For leaders, finding out their teammates' skills and backing them is a great investment

Gordon as a young player had really been pushed by his coach with the theme of needing to win at all costs . "If you don’t make this shot you’re not only letting me down you’re letting the team down. It’s not worth playing if you cannot win" – he said.  But as Gordon reflects on this when he becomes a coach, he helps his team understand that it is always best to play for the love of the game. Because then it is not that one win , but the continuous great work together that will happen. Failures are part of the game and it happens to the best of us.  

 Lesson 3: A story of Inches

“When everyone says it can’t be done — Ducks fly together!”

 Gordon talks about his game as a child to his team. He says  how a quarter of an inch this way the goal would have gone in when someone makes him realize that a quarter of an inch the other way he would have missed it completely- an interesting matter of perspective. Now no mention of a game of inches is complete without another great sports movie- “Any Given Sunday”. I would not have brought about this change in movie  if not for how it connects with something else in the Mighty Ducks- “You gotta look at the guy next to you. You are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. You are going to see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows that when it comes down to it, you are going to do the same thing for him”And doing it for your team is beautifully showcased in the Mighty Ducks - when the roster was full and their best player is declared fit to play, the player that really brought the team together says –“he can have my spot” That action of pulling himself out of the team to add the best player back saying “this is the what I can do for the team let me do it” is the most important thing in teams. Knowing your expertise and making sure that the best person is on the job is a lesson that can sometimes easily be taken for granted.

 A team isn’t just a bunch of people who are out to win. A team is something you belong to, something you feel and something that you have to earn. And while we are here to win together, it’s a long journey and we need to keep at it. This is dedicated to the amazing teams that I have had the privilege to lead across my different stints.

Looking forward to all your thoughts below