Play Well, Win Well

Onboarding to a new organization is much like team sports; everybody must learn and adjust to play well together. And with on-boarding comes a lot of newness:

A NEW offensive or defensive play.

A NEW team protocol.

A NEW coach.

A NEW player/teammate.

A NEW team roster.

A NEW competitor to the division.

In the figurative sense, I am the new player here at Game On Nation. Woohoo! Go Team! Alongside my new teammates, I am learning how to play well from the inside of the organization, while also striving for the WIN.

For ten years, I played elite women’s basketball and aligned to three different programs. Every team was stacked with high-impact players and a play schedule stocked with firepower competition. “Onboarding” to these three teams took intentionality and effort from both me as an entry level player, and the existing players and coaching staff.

At the surface, the goal was to WIN.

But the ultimate goal? The ultimate goal is to become ONE.

I echo aloud the mantra, “One band. One sound.”

I aligned to my sports teams because, yes, I did want to win. And to do that, I had to consider how I can play well alongside and for my team. It is important in the workplace, and in life, to evaluate the components of a win and how we align as individuals to play well alongside one another.

A few tips to Play Well, Win Well:

1. Consider Your Part - Whether you are new or existing, consider how you play with others. It is important to embrace an open mind, to be teachable, and adaptable to the environment. Also, consider your needs and how to express them clearly, confidently, and kindly to others.

2. Honor Others - Whether a sports team or a work team, individuals are coming together who possess special gifts, strengths, and weaknesses. Every person has their “bread and butter”, their skill of expertise. Whether you shoot from beyond the three-point line or right underneath the basket, your presence and skills matter to the “oneness” of the team.

3. Learn to Play Together – Once we take stock of our talents and the skills of others, it’s up to the team to work cooperatively to find alignment. Place people in positions that speak to their strengths and complement others’. Be conscious of when we pass the ball, and when we should keep it. Find moments of connection and joy to build positive and uplifting culture. And, most importantly, find a team that aligns to the values and what a win looks like.

In order to win well, we must intentionally consider how to play well.

And I – I’m ready to win well.

Play On.

Win On.

Game On.