What I learned about an office environment by playing football at Siena College

I played football for Siena College from 1987 till 1990.  I was a defensive tackle and how can I say it…I was horrible.  Oh I was bad.  I was a third string tackle who only started on one game, senior day, for one play…then I was back on the bench till the 4th quarter.  You would think that I would have bad memories for all those losses or from all that time riding the bench, but that wasn’t my take away from that time.  The lessons that I learned on that team have carried my on throughout my career post college.

Teamwork:  Whether it was on the field or in the boardroom, I am part of a team that is dependent on me to carry my weight.  There is no invaluable member of a team.  There are only those who do or don’t carry out their assignment.  You go into game or meeting prepared to do your best.

Pride:  You wear your uniform or your company logo with pride.  You represent that brand and that brand represents you.  You contribute to its reputation with every action.  You add to its success with every presentation.  You are them and they are you.

Leadership:  You follow your leaders into battle on the field and in the office.  You look out for your team.  You motivate them.  Win, lose or draw, you never give up on yourself or your teammates.

Work Ethic:  You strive to get better.  You do your best, every day, every play.  You never give up on the ball and you never give up on your project.  Both get 100%

Growth:  You learn from every missed tackle or every failed presentation.  You take notes.  Your redesign plays.  You change tactics.  You never give up, on your team or yourself.

Responsibility:  You know your role and you are prepared to do it.  I was ready to get on the field and I am ready to do my assignments at work.  I know that if I succeeded, it was because I did what I needed to do to be ready and if I failed, it was because I do what I needed to do or because someone did a little more.

Siena College doesn't have a team anymore.  It discontinued its program in 2004, but I will never forget my time on the field as a Siena Saint or the teammates that I fought alongside on the gridiron.  I have and always will keep those lessons close to me as I fight in my office, except this time, I’m not on the sidelines.