TEAM BUILDING
What team sports taught me about running a company
Anthony Gilbert
Sep 5, 2018, 8:19 pm
Winning teams can provide tips on winning at business. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
There are as many reasons young people get involved in team sports as there are sports to get involved in. Some are prodded by their parents. Others join to be part of a group. There are those who view sports as a way to demonstrate physical or skill superiority and others who are simply competitive by nature.
Sports are compelling to many because they speak to conflicts and struggles that we deal with in the “real world”. For some, team sports is a fleeting phase in life. For others, it becomes a mainstay and a part of who they are.
For me, the fundamentals involved in team sports provided a baseline of core beliefs that have proved to be highly valuable in running a company.
Trust in others
In team sports, players have to not only trust in their coaches and managers but to trust their teammates as well. If a team relies too much on one player, it minimizes the impact of the team. Players should be able to rely on each other and trust they will pick up their assignments. If not, a player may try to cover for a teammate, perhaps putting themselves out of position to handle their own assignment. In business, this can translate into micromanaging instead of focusing on your own work. Sure, people need to be managed and interventions may need to occasionally be made, but when there is trust and everyone understands the big picture and their role in it, it creates an energy and synchronicity that is tough to beat.
Effort is contagious
Energy, effort, enthusiasm and drive are contagious. When leaders on a team demonstrate these qualities, others have an innate desire to follow. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. It is worth noting that effort often takes, well, effort. But considering every day we are either improving or regressing, the effort is well worth it. It is worth it in not only the productivity and superior performance it provides, but in the energetic environment that results.
Plan to win
Planning to win can help you believe you can win. This is a very powerful principle in both team sports and business. Sure, you need to have backup plans and insurance policies for when things go awry but if you don't believe you can win or have a chance, opportunities are limited. Big upsets happen and they generally start with a well-thought-out plan that eventually manifests itself in belief. Legendary NFL coach Chuck Knox is credited with saying “Always have a plan and believe in it. Nothing happens by accident.” It is just one of many motivational quotes on the subject.
There's always room for improvement
In sports, as in business, everyone can improve. When a team comes off of a big win and they begin to believe they can just coast, they are primed to be upset. We've all witnessed teams who have experienced great success only to be followed by a disappointing loss or season. We've seen that in corporations as well. But we've also seen great franchises built through continuous improvement. There's always room for improvement and we must seek out those areas that can serve us best.
Nothing in life comes easily
Psychology Today has its own list of reasons sports can benefit teenagers, one of which is that it teaches us nothing is easy. Winning takes grit, commitment, overcoming barriers, and consistent effort. These are all traits so extremely valuable in running a company.
Team sports offer unlimited life lessons and insights on how to run a business or simply interact with others in our day-to-day life. They build trust and demonstrate the value of continuous improvement. Through team sports, we can learn the benefits of well-laid plans and how effort is contagious. While nothing in life may come easy, there is always room for improvement, and that improvement is worth chasing. There is, after all, a good reason many team sports use the term "goal".
Anthony Gilbert is the owner of The RealFX Group. Anthony specializes in real estate lead generation and marketing.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!