Be a Team Player!

I’ve written many times about my pursuits as a washed up men’s league hockey player. Friday night with the boys is a cherished tradition, even if I can’t be there every week due to other commitments. Some times of the year are better than others for availability. In the fall / winter for example, most folks are around. In the summer on the other hand, we play with a pretty short bench.

In this story, we were in summer and shorthanded as we are most years. I was on the ice and found myself approaching the boards battling for the puck. As I got closer my opponent forced me into the boards at an awkward angle - gloves first.

I knew from the moment I hit the boards there was a problem. I’ve broken both my thumbs in previous injuries and this had that old familiar feeling - nausea, pain and regret. As I sat on the bench after changing shifts I pondered whether or not I should take my glove off to look at the swelling. It hurt like hell and I knew from experience a trip to the fracture clinic was in my future. I played the next shift and continued to shake my hand and try to keep some mobility as the swelling continued.

"No way you are bailing on us..."

My next time on the bench I had to take my glove off to make sure there was no bleeding or protrusions. As I stood looking at my hand one of my teammates skated by and chirped me - “no way you are bailing on us, suck it up”. I put my glove back on and finished the game.

The next day I went to hospital to get a temporary cast. That was followed a few days later with a trip to the fracture clinic where I had some pins inserted to re-set the thumb and got a more robust cast.

Needless to say I was out for a couple of months with that one - really sucked to have let the team down. As I reflect on that experience, a few things come to mind:

Be Resilient: the need to ‘tough it out’ is important but the need to bounce back from a setback is more important. Things are going to happen that are out of your control - your ability to recover and reset are paramount in your overall success. The earlier you learn / accept this, the more you can enjoy life and the experiences it offers. You win or you learn...

Support the Team: when someone is down, you need to step up. Whether it is health, family or related to some other issue you must find a way to help your team out. Situations may differ but the need to help out remains. As your ability to back each other up improves, so does the strength of your team.

Know Your Limits: in my case, finishing the game likely did not do more damage to the thumb but did delay getting the treatment needed. Part of being an effective leader is knowing when you need to step aside, and when you need to let someone on your team do the same to get their house or health in order.

That injury was a few years ago and my hands have not been the same since - Some would say I never had good ones on the ice anyway so gotta make up for it elsewhere. Whatever team you find yourself on - be it sports, business or family - you need to step up and do your part.

Until next time, keep the faith….and keep your stick on the ice and hands away from the boards.?

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Jim McKay is a seasoned supply chain executive with over twenty-five years experience in leading and coaching others. Through his 'Reflections' posts and 'Reflections of a Workaholic' publications Jim shares his experience in transportation, supply chain and leadership through impactful and insightful stories that are meant to help and inspire others.