This is the first part of a multi-part series covering some of the topics and ideas brought up by former ESPN producer and current Sports Spectrum Podcast host Jason Romano in his new book, “The Uniform of Leadership”. It becomes available on July 28th at anywhere books are sold, and covers lessons of leadership he learned along his phenomenal journey in the world of sports media.
When it comes to sports, there have been several great dynasties. The New York Yankees in the 1950’s, the New England Patriots in the past decade, the Chicago Bulls in the 1990’s, the list goes on. However, what caused the demise of each of those? Well, for both the Patriots and the Bulls, it was the fact that the band broke up and teams came along who were finally able to finally take them down, especially in the postseason. It seems that the point at which longtime quarterback Tom Brady, who is considered by many the greatest of all-time (G.O.A.T) in pro football, left the Pats, and forwards Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen left the Bulls, the dynasty came to a quick end. For the Yankees, though, the reason considered by many of why they finally fell, was not because Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris or Tony Kubek left. It was because they began to put the name on the back of their jersey before the name on the front. They put winning above all, but teamwork was nowhere to be found.
As leaders, it is our job to construct a culture that goes “far beyond winning”. That means that the culture of our “team” has to be based on more than just success. A drive to succeed is key, but it is not everything. Teamwork and team chemistry is what separates dynasties from franchises that are good for a season or two, but quickly fade away. As Hall of Fame basketball player and coach Dave DeBusschere said, “The best teams have team chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.”
"The best teams have team chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal."
-Dave DeBusschere
To be able to build a team like DeBusschere is talking about, it takes more than just talent. It takes more than just personal drive. It takes the entire group working as one unit, and it starts from the top. When we lead, we must ask ourselves, are we “playing” for our glory, or for the whole team? As Romano asks his readers in chapter one of "The Uniform of Leadership", how would it look for a player to run onto the field wearing his/her jersey backwards, with his/her name on the front, simply because to them, their name came before the team name?
As soon as a leader puts their own goals and ideas before the entire group, that group or team will likely begin to experience a rough road ahead. After all, remember the famous acronym about the word “team”. Together everyone achieves more. It is always the case. More is accomplished when more people begin the carry the load.
One of my favorite plays in basketball is the “give and go”, which features a pass by one player, who then runs towards the basket, with the player who just received the pass dishing out a pass to the player running towards the hoop. It often results in slam dunks and alley oops, which makes it so exciting as the defense breaks down.
It is a thing of beauty, but only works as long as both players are unselfish, and only focused on scoring two points for the team, not for their own stat totals. In the play above, Steph Curry could have easily tried to score on his own, but it would have meant shooting a lower-percentage shot, which could have ultimately hurt the Golden State Warriors’ chances to win the game. Instead, exemplifying what a true point guard should do, Curry dished out a phenomenal pass to Andrew Bogut, who slammed down a one-handed dunk.
This level of chemistry sums up why Golden State has been so dominant in recent years. When everyone works for a common goal, with leaders like Curry setting that example, success is achieved.
So as leaders in our homes, churches, workplaces, and activities, we must remember what Jason Romano noted in “The Uniform of Leadership”; The best leaders are those who construct an environment that goes beyond winning and are hyper-focused on the team aspect. Everyone performs better when teamwork is involved. It takes the pressure off of just one or two people, and is a true example that each and every one of us has a role to play.
Ultimately, that means trusting in God above all, and He will aid in the formation of that team chemistry that is so strongly desired to "achieve more".
As the motto of The Increase, a christian sports organization that powers Sports Spectrum, says, “He must become greater, I must become less.”
-John 3:30
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