How to Build an Effective Work Team: Tips from the Soccer Field

I’m standing near the sidelines of the soccer field, trying not to pace. My eldest son, age 9, grimaces in the goal as the ball flies past him and the other team scores—again. Our team is getting cooked, as the kids say. I’ve lost track of how many shots have made it over and around my goalie son, but it’s at least 10 already.

This is the third game in a two-day youth soccer tournament. The first game was also a bit of a trouncing, but they tied the second one, and he left with his head held high. “I know they scored 9 goals on me,” he said, “but I stopped like 15 more.” And he wasn’t wrong! He wasn’t deflated or beating himself up. He recognized that he still had wins, even if his team didn’t win that first game. And he felt good about that.

This game, though… this game is brutal. But he’s hanging in there. My wife and I can tell he’s frustrated, tired, and losing steam. But he’s keeping his composure and still playing. When the game ends, I can see tears in his eyes, and he takes a moment to walk quietly by himself before heading back to his teammates, who are chanting his name. His coach turns to me and says, “The fact that he can have a game like that and keep getting back in the goal—that’s something.”

To Build a Winning Team, Put Employees in the Right Roles

I can’t stop thinking about these two games and how important our mindset is to whatever we face in sports, at work, and in relationships. You usually need the right skills and the right mindset to succeed. My son’s coach knew that it’s better to have a goalie who lets a shot go by but bounces back than one who throws a tantrum and storms off when they miss.

It’s the same thing at work, and you can usually spot a mismatch.

• Have you ever had a colleague who had the skills to do a job, but their attitude interfered with their performance?
• Or have you seen someone brilliant struggling because their temperament just isn’t suited for their role?

In a job where the chances of failure are high, you need to have someone resilient. And you probably don’t want to put someone who loves structure and rules in charge of a new initiative where they’ll have to create an outline as they go.

It’s Not Just a Morale Booster—It Helps with Retention Too

This is important for keeping employees happy and keeping them on the team. My son likes the responsibility that comes with being a goalie. He doesn’t mind, at least so far, the pressure. An employee on your team may be the same. If someone craves that responsibility but is given only menial tasks, how long will they want to stay?

Rinse and Repeat for the Best Results

Putting people in roles that align not just with their skills but with their natural behavioral tendencies will make them feel more successful. And it will yield better results both personally and professionally.

Doing that over and over is how you build a winning team. That matters because no team, at work or in sports, is carried by one person. Success is truly a team effort, and everyone has to work well together and support each other to win. One person in the wrong role can hurt everyone’s morale.

I know my son is in the right role as a goalie and will continue to work on improving his skills. I’m proud of him. I’ll always remember how brave he was at this tournament. Next time he’s feeling down, I’ll remind him of it so he never forgets what he can do.