A winning team does not need all A-players
Today we took our 3 children to their first ever PGA event, and what a first event to go to…. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. A public golf course I grew up sledding on. A neighborhood staple. But my local state park has become a bit of a destination over the last few decades… my slice of local beauty has been found. But it made it more fun to walk the children through my neighborhood I grew up in to see their first Ryder Cup.
Team USA all the way. Even though, Team Europe is very entertaining and full of amazing talent.
It was an over-the-top event in comparisons to the various other events I have attended. The kids loved it. They had tons of logistical questions about how the course they frequent for dinner, walks or the driving range changed. They wanted to understand why the trophy was so small. Golf rules were asked and clarified many times. But then came the, how do you make the team?
The natural reaction is “to be the best,” but that is not the actual answer. The captain of each team, along with their “mentors” named as assistant captains, have to figure out who are the best combinations to win the various types of game play. Not as straight forward as the “top” players.
Quite a great parenting moment then leads to an even better leadership reflection.
To make the team: you need to posses the right skill set, at the right moment and be the best you can at it. It is not just simply being the leader but being the reliable teammate who brings positive energy, reliable at your craft and capable of being flexible.
Imagine if each team you ever created or joined had a leader who functioned like a captain. Focusing on what skills the team needs and who could provide that skill with reliability and the right mentality. That leader uses mentors to help guide as to not be blind of history, not be too fast with decision making and bounce ideas off of. What if you were selected for the team with a clear understanding of this?
It is not all about A-players, its about the right fitting players at the right moments. A great way to rethink how you put work together this week.
Go Team USA!