Play The Game Not The Score

I have always believed that team sports build character.  The principles of good character include honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, integrity, fairness, self-control and prudence. These qualities are the keys to being successful in life and are the qualities that define leadership.  An often overlooked part of leadership is the ability to work within a team, which also means listening to other people and understanding different points of view. Someone who can’t play for the team cannot hope to lead it.

I have played baseball and slo-pitch most of my life and when the knees could no longer take it, I coached my sons little league teams. I was never the stand out player on the teams I played for but I was always team captain, or one of the leaders or organizers of the team and leagues I was participating in. It was on the baseball field that I learned the most valuable lessons in running a successful business.  When I turned 18 and old enough to join the mens slo-pitch league I could not find an existing team to play for, so I brought my own team into the league. Of all the teams I played for I am most proud of that team, “The Stingers.” Our first year we ended the season 0-32 our second year after 31 loses we finally won our first game and ended what I’ve been told could be a record 63 game losing streak. So why  am I proud of that team? Well 63 losses and none by forfeit, the guys never stopped showing up, we did not cheat we played with honesty. We played with courage, compassion integrity and fairness, we never stopped trying and working on improving. I still have my original Stingers jersey and it hangs here in my office as a reminded to never give up, work hard, push through and do everything possible to get better at what I do.

I have observed a vast array of motivational tactics on the part of other coaches and captains and I have learned that when you are down it so important to continue to play the game and not the score.

When a team has virtually no chance of winning, it becomes a great indicator of who the best players are. Who’s still launching himself out of the batters box, scrapping his way to first? Who’s still diving for balls? Who’s still getting dirty? Those are the committed players, who realize that consistency over time equals credibility. The ones who know that to be successful, you have to give your all, whether you’re winning or losing.

Entrepreneurs, employees — everyone — should perform the same way.

Playing the score and not the game is also unwise on an intrapersonal level. Do as much as you can, for as many people as you can, as often as you can, without expecting anything in return. Don’t worry about what you’re getting back. Don’t worry about how many dollars that person is going to equal for you. Being generous without keeping score strengthens your spirit, keeps you focused on the people who make your business what it is, and helps breed success.

It is worth saying again the  principles of good character include honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, integrity, fairness, self-control and prudence. Practice these principals on the field, in business and in life.

When you play the game, and not the score, you usually end up scoring more as a result.