Great game played by Michigan and Louisville last night in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It was everything a championship game should be for the most part: great action, close scoring, and some interesting story lines. I wish that two things had been different the officiating had been better (both teams got screwed on a number of incorrect calls) and that the Wolverines had won. However, besides an excellent evening’s entertainment, I got something else out of the game I’d like to share.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Two players – Luke Hancock and Spike Albrecht – were the stories of the game in many ways. When Michigan’s star guard got into early foul trouble, Albrecht came off the bench and scored 17 points before halftime. For a kid who averaged under 2 points a game, that’s quite a performance. Hancock went him one better with a performance off the bench that was so good he became the first non-starter to be named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Both players made an excellent business point which is today’s thought.
There are a dozen players on a basketball team and yet only five play at once. Generally the rotation of players, barring foul trouble or injury, isn’t more than seven. Still, every person on the bench needs to stay ready. Every sport has a crew of backup players – those who, for one reason or another, don’t play as much on game day but are integral parts of the team.
It’s the same in business. Every person on the team needs to understand the game plan and keep their skills sharp even if the plan isn’t for them to be the main players that day. I wanted “bench” players on my business team who understood that their job went beyond the time when they were front and center. When you’re out of a game for a spell, your job isn’t to rest. You have a wider perspective – you can see the entire floor or field. Help your team with your observations. For business, this means, for example, reading drafts of presentations carefully and offering suggestions not sitting around pouting because you’re not the one giving the show. Who knows – like Albrecht and Hancock, you might get a chance when you least expect it. Be ready – the chance may not come a second time.
Consult Keith 