As a child, I was always playing basketball or playing mixed doubles in tennis with my older brother. I always credit my work ethic and values to my socialization in team sports, learning to assimilate these into a team approach. In this first role, I learned:

• Focusing on the team: be part of the team by not to letting my ego or my individual performance (good or bad) distract my team mates
• Conditioning the body and mind: train and push my body to its limits although most of time it was difficult working that hard to be in shape
• Following directions: take instructions from my coach or captain without questioning the reason behind their directives
• Practicing: learn that showing up daily for practice is as important, if not, more important than the game. Practice also makes perfect.
• Integrating feedback: take constructive criticism to improve my skills
• Following higher ups: learn to follow my captain, co-captain and coach

Developing Management and Leadership  Skills
At an early age, I learned the role of leadership. I was expected to set the example in attitude and performance; to coach and mentor younger players; and motivate team members. I enjoyed being the go-to-guy when chips were down, learning to keep my composure under pressure. Looking back, I remember having my team mates watch everything I did on and off the court, since they were younger or influential. Being a leader came with responsibilities, I learned benevolence and stewardship. More importantly, I learned how to not abuse my power.

Team Sports Teaches Management and Leadership
Today, I realize that participating in basketball was like being in a management and leadership structure, I had:

• Company goals like winning our regional tournament to get to the State tournament
• Department and individual functions with well-defined roles on the team so there was no ambiguity to impede team and individual results
• Performance management with individual performance aligned to the team goals and constantly reinforced
• Office politics to navigate with team mates having their own issues, agendas, or competing needs
• Results to achieve on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis in practice, individual performance expectations, or regular season games

Differences in Team vs. Individual Sport Approaches?
I’ve noticed that my peers or bosses, who were into individual sports, have different values and approaches to management and leadership. For example, I got into an disagreement with one of bosses over these differences regarding my teammates. After a series of frustrations with this teammate, my boss was not going manage them when they clearly wasn’t understanding the “how to do it” aspect of the identified tasks. My boss thought this teammate should know to do it, since my boss was paying him enough, so they “better figure it out [my boss].” I told my boss that “I’m not letting my teammate fail, when we could have helped them on the deliverables. It’s a reflection of the team.”

My approach came from a team perspective, while my boss was coming from a runner’s perspective. I believed my teammate wasn’t solely responsible for their deliverables/performance, especially since the deliverables were for a sales training initiative. What’s better, a team-oriented approach or individualistic one? It depends on preference or how you were socialized, so there’s no correct answer. My boss was used to relying on their own discipline, knowledge, and performance.

My boss achieved a great deal in their career with these individualist values. I’m not judging. I know how effective my boss was in leadership and management. Personally, I find work more rewarding because I enjoy being part of a team and working together on mutual goals. I still have my inner team captain telling me, “No one gets left behind. It’s all about the team’s performance.” That sounds very Ranger-like doesn’t it? Guess I could have been a decent Ranger, although I know they would had to thrown me out of the helicopter because I’m dumb enough to jump on my own.

Are there career management or leadership lessons in this Smart Lemming Tale? Yes, that as workers, managers, or leaders, we manifest our life experiences from that perspective. If you were into team sports, the chances are you’ll use these values as you manage or lead. If you were a runner, or some other individual sport, you’ll probably lean towards individual values. Neither is better than the other, just an approach that makes the workplace more interesting and less homogeneous.

Recommended Book on Team Approaches to Management & Leadership

• Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warriorby Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty
• The Essential Wooden: A Lifetime of Lessons on Leaders and Leadershipby John Wooden and Steve Jamison
• Rangers Lead the Way: The Army Rangers’ Guide to Leading Your Organization Through Chaosby Dean Hohl and Maryann Karinch

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