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Last week I took a page from Ron Edmondson and expanded on his “8 Ways to be Odd Man Out on a team.”
I take another page from Edmondson this week and talk about “7 ways to make yourself invaluable to a team.”
I am a huge fan of being positive.
It takes too much energy to be negative all the time. I’ve been around those people in all walks of life.
It was especially draining in the golf business.
Some members/patrons you see coming and want to go down the other grocery aisle … if you know what I mean.
This team can be any sports team, a team of educators, the college study group, work-related or at home.
Be a chief encourager.
This is not the rah-rah dude who think everything is OK at all times.
You aren’t Spongebob.
You aren’t Emmet Brickowski – everything is awesome.
But, when a basketball team is down 25 in the fourth quarter and the back-ups are in, the guys on the bench need to encourage those on the court.
The starters on the bench need to be engaged in those on the court. Just because you are now sitting on the bench down 25, you do not have a license to no longer care about the game or the other members on the team.
Everyone is into a one-point game – everyone.
Few are into those blowouts.
Be involved.
How much fun is it to be around someone who is negative what seems like all the time?
How much fun is it when you are waited on by that person who thinks he or she is doing you a favor by taking your money?
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1Thess. 5:11
Support the vision and direction.
New coach. New staff. New system.
New boss.
New principal.
New line leader. (Can you envision the 4-year-old who thinks he should be the line leader and throws a fit? Don’t be that 4-year-old).
Everyone needs to row the boat in the same direction.
Everyone.
Know your role.
That includes the support staff.
That includes those sitting in the stands.
You can be honest about the new system. Ask questions of the new system. Ask questions of the new direction.
But, in the end, be supportive of the objectives being laid out.
It’s not always easy.
But, a lot of things aren’t easy.
Change is not always easy.
But, many times it is also for the better.
“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” – Psalm 18:35
Respect others.
This is an easy one.
In order to give respect, one must require respect.
Respect decisions, even though you may not always agree with them.
Respect those in command.
“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” – Albert Einstein
Respect teammates, classmates, roommates.
Respect family.
Respect the game.
Respect those on staff.
Respect the scared freshmen who doesn’t know anybody as much as you respect the most favorite person, coach, teacher in your life.
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,” – Titus 2:7
Give more than required.
It doesn’t mean that you are the first in the gym and the last one out, but it might.
You are required to be in the gym for two hours, but do you stay after, or come in before, to take 100 jumpers, or 100 free throws.
Are you at the long jump pit 20 minutes early to work on your steps to make sure there are no problems in the big invitational coming up?
Start that 10-page paper a week before it’s due instead of the night before.
Have better time management. The better you manage your time, the more efficient you are. The more efficient you are, the more time you have to give to others.
And, sometimes, that means taking quiet time to prepare for what lies ahead.
Be accountable for your actions.
Take responsibility.
People see that – all the way from upper management to the new kid on the block.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
Be an information hub.
Know the plays.
Know where everyone is supposed to be in those plays.
Know the signs.
Don’t miss signs.
Know what homework needs to be done and do it on time.
Don’t be obnoxious with what you know and how you disseminate it.
A coach is not a big fan when he or she looks at one of the better players and says, “What happens next?” and your answer is “I don’t know.”
Same thing for a teacher.
Information is king.
Celebrate other people’s success.
I love watching “Undercover Boss” and see how life unfolds.
Teams are only good because of every team member.
Restaurants are only good because of every team member.
Same with study groups.
Every member of the 4×400 relay must give every ounce of energy. If you don’t, you have let your teammates down.
Life isn’t about us.
It is about others.
Brag on others.
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” – Maya Angelou
Be a good listener.
Be that person who listens to complaints, concerns and does the right thing with them. Be the person who can go to the coach and talk about things.
Be the person who can keep things in confidence.
Listen to coaches, teachers, bosses family members.
Listen.
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” – Proverbs 1:5
(Mathison, a Weirton resident, is the sports editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times and can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com, followed on Twitter at @MathisonMike and is on the radio weekday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. with Joey Klepack on WEIR-AM)