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May 31, 2009 As I write this column, I am hours away from heading down to Joe Louis Arena tonight to see Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals with my daughter Jamie. We’ll be 5 rows behind the Red Wing bench. I’m going because I’m curious and I have to see it up close and personal for myself. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more well-oiled machine than the Detroit Red Wings. The example they produce is something that can trickle all the way down to our 9-year old youth teams in Novi, if people are willing to take notice. Competition, it is said, often brings out the best in people, but it also brings out the worst. It doesn’t have to be that way, but in today’s win-lose mentality in our society, many people feel that in order for someone to have success, someone else has to fail, and unfortunately that includes fellow teammates. This attitude is rampant in our fair city. Loving, caring parents, root for the own kids, but silently root for other kids to fail so they look better, and can feel better about themselves. They’ll show respect to each other face-to-face, but when they walk away they talk about each other behind their back. There are busy-body’s that like to ‘keep tabs’ on others, when their focus should be inward. There is much talk about teamwork and team-building but when all is said and done, usually more is said, than done. Successful teams in all walks of life are made up of individuals that have recognized that it doesn’t have to be a win/lose mentality. Make no mistake; this is also prevalent in the college as well as the professional ranks, unless you’re talking about perennial successes like the New England Patriots or the Detroit Red Wings. The truth is 95% of all professional athletes have about the same talent-level/skill-set. So why are the Wings head and shoulders above all? To say they merely, “checked their ego at the door” would be too simplistic. The answer is right before our eyes. Their collective attitude toward success means they value working together and they embrace the different talents, strengths, and experiences each one brings to the mix. They are not trying to win each other over, to gain glory, but rather, they’ve developed synergistic attitudes that actually reduce the overall stress level that comes with competition. In the end, their performance is elevated because their loyal alliances and genuine relationships with each other make it easier to solve problems, and ultimately everyone achieves more, including the team. Science has shown when geese fly in a “V” formation, the whole flock achieves a 71% greater flying range than that of a bird flying alone. As they flap their wings in unison, they create an ‘uplift’ for the birds flying next to them. When one falls out of formation, it creates a drag, and the resultant slowdown. Now we know why the Detroit Red Wings fly so high. Will your team take notice? (c) 2009 Novi
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