I recently had the opportunity to witness the power of personal accountability within a team setting. Our 6th grade football team lost a game a couple of weeks ago on a successful 2-point conversion late in the game. As with any game, there were many opportunities to have sealed the win, but in the end, it came down to a 2-point conversion. The kids played hard, played with a lot of heart but they just came up short. The result was nobody’s fault or perhaps everybody’s fault. But this group has players that are different. This group has players that show true accountability, and on this day, it really showed up.
The Story
After the game, the team gathered for our typical post-game discussion. I noticed 2 players arguing with one another. At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on but as I listened, I realized they were arguing over who’s fault it was that we gave up the 2-point conversion. They were each arguing that it was their own fault. Not trying to blame the other but arguing that they had messed up and not their teammate.
To me, one of the neat parts to this story is that 1 of the players would be considered more of a ‘star’ player while the other is a solid role player. Animosity did not exist from either side, they were each just adamant that they should have made a better play.
Coach Missed an Opportunity
With so many things happening toward the end of the game, what was occurring did not fully set into my mind. I settled it with the typical ‘it’s not one players fault, there are a lot of plays in a game’ speech. After I had a moment to think, this situation began to sink in for me. The more I thought about it, the more impressed I became.
Coach Tries to Redeems Himself
I couldn’t wait for the next practice and the ability to highlight this moment! I had to make a point of the power of accountability and how this can propel teams to reach greatness! My comments led to a much larger discussion as other kids had thoughts they wanted to share. Thoughts on things they could do better or things they needed to work on – not specific to the game but just in general.
The result was a very powerful conversation. I am happy that we didn’t just let it go and made a time to point out the positives of what happened but I was most happy with the larger conversation that occurred. I hope the conversation resonates with all members of the team and that propels them to look at their own level of accountability.
Personal Accountability Creates the Team
A key component to a successful team are the members accountability to the team. Within many teams, accountability is driven from the administration and/or coaches to the players. This level of accountability is important to create a positive energy within a team as discussed here. Although, too many times, players are very vocal about holding their teammates accountable to their mistakes but not nearly as relentless about their own personal accountability. The most successful teams have members that hold themselves accountable. The best team have their best players willing to do this!
There is a high level of honesty that exists with teams with accountable players. Accountable to each other and accountable to themselves. With this level of personal accountability, it tends to limit the occurrence of one player blaming another when things don’t go right or a game is lost in the end. There can be a fear of players over-internalizing, blaming themselves and diminishing their self confidence but my experience is that if players personally accountable, they do a good job of supporting and propping each other up rather than tearing each other down. This creates the team, this is the goal of a TEAM!
Team Accountability
Support one another, don’t tear each other down. Don’t try to work your way to the top by putting others down or diminishing their contributions. Instead, promote each other as adamantly as you would promote yourself. At the same time, leaders have to hold their teammates accountable when more is truly needed from somebody. In the process, use compassion and heart to motivate them to be their best while you hold yourself to the standard of always giving your best!
BtL
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