WINNING IN SPORT AND BUSINESS

As an avid golfer, I’ve been following the coverage leading up to this week’s Ryder Cup, pitting Team USA against Team Europe. It is a sporting spectacle to behold!  As I was watching the coverage, it struck me how many parallels there are between sport and business. I think the most distinct of these are strategy, leadership, and teamwork.

Sports teams have a game plan that puts their best players in the right position on the field with a strategy that gives them the best chance to win. And as in sport, businesses need to have a game plan that puts their “players” in the right position to win. Jim Collins, in his best-selling book, “Good to Great,” wrote of the importance to not only have the right people on the metaphorical “bus,” but making sure a business has the right people on the right seat on the right bus.  Every member of our team at Kingsgate brings unique talents and skills. We always strive to make sure we put people in the best position for their personal and professional successes.

Every great team has great leaders. Businesses are no different. It was Jack Welch of GE who said, “[B]efore you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” The most successful businesses foster an environment that develops leaders because leadership is about action, not titles. Leadership can be on your shop floor, in your call center or your executive offices. Developing great leaders in each area of your business will be a key factor in determining long-term success.

Legendary basketball coach, Phil Jackson, said “[T]he strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each individual member is the team.” Roles have to be defined. Each member of the team needs to know how their work impacts other members of the team and how it all contributes to company success. In business, teamwork fosters an environment of creativity, accountability, builds trust and promotes a sense of ownership. Great teams, led by strong leaders, built around a solid strategic plan will ensure an environment where your company wins.

All the best,

Jeff Beckham