Teamwork and the Relation to Sport - like Sled Dog Racing and American Football

Teamwork is a term used when members in a project, sport, or business work together to achieve a common goal. And when I am thinking about team play and team work in business and sports - I do not see many differences - ok let us be honest I see almost all in both.

Smart leaders encourage good teamwork and give teams the authority to make decisions based on what they see is right. They empower their team members to do what is needed to perform better. You see this in sports, schools, and of course in work environments.

I am no Basketball fan but  I like the quote by Michael Jordan:
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”

... and to add my thoughts to Michael Jordan's saying, nobody can be good at everything, that's is one reason why the need to teams, putting abilities, talents and inspirations together in order to get more than the sum out of it. 

American Football

Even I am a huge American Football fan - and I compare often life with football games - to win you have to make a play call. Knowing which call to make comes with insights and knowledge, and by watching and understanding  own abilities and circumstances by learning the lessons that are allocated along the way of every game, season and their wins and losses. 

One reason why I love American Football  is because it is one of the best examples of team work and team spirit. It provides and define ground rules and conformity but as well a playbook with clarified roles which is aligned to the team and individual strengths and power. Ensure what is possible and that you know what is expected of each and the whole team. 

Each football player knows what they should do, depending on the particular position they play. The center “hikes” the football to the quarterback. Tom Brady’s usual role on the New England Patriots is to throw passes or hand the ball to a player who will run with the football. On some plays he also blocks an opposing player. The point is each football player knows what his role is.

When you are hired, or assigned to a team in the public and private sectors, you are hired to perform the responsibilities of a particular position, such as project manager. You may be asked to facilitate planning for a project, then to monitor and control that project.  If you are a project manager, you are also a key member of your team. Get clarity about the scope, schedule and budget.  Find out when and how the role changes.


Sled Dogs and Team Work

When I am thinking about leadership and team work I often remind of my 20 almost 25 years of racing sled dogs.

You’ve probably seen a photo or video of sled dogs pulling a musher across the snow. But did you know each sled-dog pair has a specific role in navigating the trails and terrain on every run? And even putting the right pairs together can be challenging - they have to have a good relation and in best case the step range and frequency should be similar. Let me explain short and crisp - what quality these team members have - individual experts at each part of the line:

Lead dogs: Some say the most critical part of the team, lead dogs set the pace and keep the other dogs on the trail. They are the dogs that respond to the musher’s commands of “gee” (right turn) and “haw” (left turn). Lead dogs must be alert and intelligent so they can find and follow the trail when it is covered over with snow.  They also keep the other dogs in the team moving by keeping the gangline / centerline tight.

Swing (or point) dogs: Positioned directly behind the lead dogs, the swing dogs help steer the team around corners. As lead dogs make a turn, the swing dogs pull the team in an arc that keeps the other dogs on the trail and brings the sled and musher safely around a corner.

Team dogs: The team’s core.  They pull the sled and maintain speed or pace. There can be several pairs of team dogs, depending on the size of the team. They have to work together, agile and as team in the center of the row.

Wheel dogs: These are the two dogs closest to the sled. Not necessarily the largest of the dogs but sometimes they are the most agile, often needing to cross over the main line while going around corners and then return to their original position.

You see each and every pair is specialist, born, trained and supported to run - to do their jobs on the particular position and perhaps flexible enough to switch positions. 

In my way at looking at this, team work has so many things or almost all with team work in the business context.


Closing thoughts and quotes

If we would be specialist and experts in everything we would not need teams and no leaders who think in to the teams and out side of the teams, their needs and circumstances. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Quote by Simon Sinek:

“Hire people inspired to achieve something big over people who demand something big before they feel inspired.”

“Leadership is always about people.”


Learnings

It’s important to do some reflection from time to time. Ask:

  • What is your role on this team?
  • What strengths do you have that will make this role a good fit for you?
  • What challenges will this role pose for you? (Perhaps not being the lead is going to be a challenge.)
  • What opportunities will this role offer you to grow?

After the group dissolves, do some post-race reflection as well. Ask:

  • How would you rate your success in your role?
  • How well did you support the goals of the team as a whole?
  • Did you effectively use your strengths to move the team forward?
  • What would you do differently next time?

Learning to embrace and enjoy our positions on the team will not only lead to better team outcomes, but it will also make us feel a greater sense of satisfaction in our work. 

Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you are a good leader or should be the leader in every group.

It is not about being the leader or an outstanding person - it is about feel valued and satisfied.

In summary, know the rules that you have to live and play by, and talk to everyone necessary to clarify your role. Make yourself a player that everyone wants on their team!


Final quote by one of my role models in sports and life - George Attla JR

"The dog never makes a mistake. He is just a dog and he does what he does because he is a dog and thinks like a dog. It is you that makes the mistake because you haven't trained him to do what you want him to do when you want him to do it."

George Attla, the "Huslia Hustler" whose mushing achievements made him an Alaska rock star during the 1960s, '70s and '80s, died 2015 at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage - he was 81 - thx for all George!







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