Dallas Ice Jets

September 20, 2010

The success of your team is measured not by the number of games you have won, but by the amount of effort, time and dedication you have put into the team. That’s easier said than done, right?

Of course we all want our teams to win! But the team winning a game is determined before you hit the ice. There are countless dynamics on a team that factor into its success and all you can do is make sure that you are adding value to your team.

A team’s success boils down to collaboration vs. cooperation. They are not the same thing. Collaboration refers to what you as an athlete and individual bring to the table. Collaborative teammates work together aggressively, each adding value to the relationship and synergy of their team. Cooperation is simply working together agreeably, getting along.

So how can you as an Ice Jets hockey player collaborate with your teammates and add value to your team?

1. Change Your Perception
Your teammates are your collaborators, not your competitors. You all are working towards the same common goal, having a successful team and season. Remember that. See yourselves as working together, not against each other, completing each other and not competing with each other. 

2. Change Your Attitude
You may have seen a previous blog entry on the importance of your attitude. (If you haven’t, then go read it!) Be supportive of your teammates, not suspicious of them. You cannot compliment each other’s skills and move forward as a successful team if you are being suspicious of each other’s motives. The first step is to change your attitude and assume that every player on your team has simply the best intentions at heart, trust your teammates. Once you trust each other, you are more likely to work collaboratively.

3. Change Your Focus
It’s not all about you. You’ve heard that saying “There is no ‘I’ in team.” Well that’s true. Don’t ask "what’s in it for me?" Change that thought to "what’s in it for the team?" Where you put your attention will allow you to complete each other, not compete with each other.

4. Work Together
Working together allows for more victories and success due to the overall amount of skills the team possesses being fully utilized. Not just your skills, but every single player, working collaboratively, is bettering each other; therefore the overall amount of skills being utilized in a game is multiplied. There is strength in numbers and strength in your team.

Ask yourself if you are a collaborative player. What do you bring to the table and how can you apply that to the skills of others on your team? You may even want to talk to each other and find out how one players’ skills can complement where another is lacking.

In the end, it is your team who hits the ice at game time. Not you alone. Change your thinking, work collaboratively and you are guaranteed a season full of success!