Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.
Vince Lombardi
It’s football season! The TV, newspaper, and web is filled with articles, interviews and reports about this athlete, that team, and the coach over there. Some of the stories are just so fascinating and inspiring, don’t you think? Even if you don’t play football or never played football, you can appreciate a good story about it.
Why do we like to look to sports for motivation in the workplace?
I think it’s because you can see an immediate and tangible reward for hard work and dedication.
- You can see someone with heart bust his tail and help win the game.
- You can see someone who stands on the sideline throughout the whole game be instrumental in cheering the team to victory.
- You can see a coach take a group of individuals and make a team.
I love the connection between hard work and immediate results so much that at one point I really wanted to coach sports. Now mind you, I am not very coordinated at all, and am not that educated in any particular sport per se. 
What I thoroughly enjoy, however, is leading a team to the results they desire whatever they may be.
People Skills Get Results
People skills are necessary on the field, in the office, if you work for someone, or if you work alone. In order to communicate, relate, negotiate, and resolve conflict, you need to exercise your people skills. You need to be able to play well with others on and off the field… teammates, coaches, support staff, competitors, family and friends.
- Just because you can catch a ball, if you can’t listen to the cues and be in the right spot, you will never get the opportunity.
- Just because you want to play, if you do not show you are a team player to the coach and the team, they will never let you on the field.
- Just because you know all the rules, it doesn’t mean you can teach them to your team.
Think about your People Skills today and see where a little bit of focus and proper execution could improve your results.
Are you missing opportunities by not listening?
Huddle: SLOW DOWN.
Quarterback calls: Pay attention to what is being said.
Quarterback and team movements: Pay attention to what is not being said.
Are you missing opportunities by not showing enthusiasm?
Put me in coach: make sure your boss/team/vendor/client knows you want to work with them.
I’m open: let people know that you are available to do the job.
Go team: be supportive of the work others are doing.
Are you missing opportunities to move into a leadership role?
Pass the ball: be sure to mentor and share your skills with others.
Block the other team: work to help your coworkers reach their goal by removing obstacles for them.
Go! Fight! Win!: become a great cheerleader for your coworkers, boss, and even your clients!
On or off the field, you have an opportunity to achieve a victory if you practice your people skills every day. What will you practice today?
“The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.”
Tony Dungy
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s true, I learned quickly in my career that it was the ability to connect with people that helped me to move forward and be more successful. People concern themselves about qualifications and grades and whilst they are important, people skills are more important.
Love the analogy Emilie. People skills will predominantly determine your success on or off the field.
The article is worth reading,Thank you very much! I will keep your new articles