Team Spirit

Today was a typical busy weekend day. 

 The morning spent watching my daughter (well, waiting to watch my daughter) compete at the Oregon State Cheer-leading competition. The drive down to the Memorial Coliseum, and the $21.00 admission price for me, and two of her brothers well spent. In the afternoon I found myself at my youngest child’s basketball game. Sports are most definitely a large part of our lives. The common thread for these events today was “team spirit.” 

At the cheer-leading finals I was captivated by the crowd getting behind their team, and chanting and saying the words along with the uber cute girls in over sized bows down on the arena floor. Each team, no matter how well they performed (or not) had an equally supportive fan base cheering them along. It was a contagious environment.

Later, at Sam Barlow High School during the sixth grade boys’ basketball game, I noticed the same thing. The team spirit spilled over into the crowd with many parents wearing their teams' colors, and even some with shirts and sweatshirts stating: “I am a Bruins Dad.”

We never seem to out grow this need to belong to a team, and demonstrate our commitment, pride and belonging. As adults we have our favorite teams, whether it is our hometown, our college Alma mater, or our child's school. The team environment with its cooperative and inclusive atmosphere makes us feel good. Cheering, and rooting for "our” team also just feels great.

The question is: how we can as managers, business owners, and coaches, inspire this sense of team within our workers? How do we keep a “team” of staff-- motivated, challenged and charged to do the same with the kids they coach?  How can we build and capitalize on a contagious inclusive atmosphere, and sense of pride for our “teams” within our business?

Some ideas:

·         Daily huddles- much like a sports team-- having a 5-10 minute huddle before work starts to “charge” the team and focus on daily goals. Staff huddle, gymnast huddle.

·         Mascots- yes, bring one into the gym to unite everyone. Besides, they are fun! Let your staff and customers help pick what the mascot will be that will represent your business.

·         Team colors-every gym has them. Use them more, and in as many ways possible. Promotional pieces (such as advertising) to paint colors, t-shirts to car stickers. Need ideas? Look inside the nearest high school.

·         Spirit days (like in school) where all staff/kids wear the same colors.
Have ideas? Send them to me…

Go team!!