Are you a good teammate?
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi
All accomplishment comes from teamwork
At All American Martial Arts we have four current students who have earned the title “National Champion” from the Amateur Athletic Union’s National Taekwondo Championships. One has earned that title twice. However, they will be the first to tell you it was a team effort that made that accomplishment possible.
Instructors, family, sparring partners and others all contributed to the effort that allowed them to compete and win at the highest level. But the same is true of every other area of our lives. Author and leadership expert John Maxwell has said, “No great accomplishment has ever been achieved by an individual.” We all have teams around us.
In visiting with young students, we often remind them that their families are teams also. We help emphasize the importance of being a good “teammate” at home. The same is true for adults as well.
Whenever we hear the word “team” it is natural to think of our favorite sports team. However, the same principles that help those teams to win championships are necessary for us to achieve success at home, at work, and in society.
Championship teams exemplify dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice
Personal sacrifice, commitment to a common goal, dedication to improve, accountability, and perseverance are all attributes we see in championship teams, whether they be a football team, a major corporation, a community organization, or a family.
How well your team performs will be determined by the integrity each teammate displays towards achieving team goals. What kind of teammate are you? Do you display the characteristics of a champion in your daily life? Or do you just try to get by, only worrying about how to improve your personal position in the organization?
Good teammates are committed to team goals.
The first step in building a good team is dedicating yourself to being a good teammate. Want to create a winning team at home, at work, and in your community? Commit yourself to being the best possible teammate. Doing so will inspire others to do the same. Before you know it, you will have achieved those goals, too. And you can truly lay claim to the title “Champion.”
James Davenport is co-owner of All American Martial Arts which is located in Del City.
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I am very thankful that you are providing this valuable insight with your martial arts. If everyone would understand this principle, it would be a wonderful place. What we do impacts so many people, and appreciation for those around us helping us achieve our goals is a tremendous place to start.