A lot of books have been written on how to create high performance teams in the workplace.  Three years ago, despite never having played soccer myself, I became the head coach of my oldest daughter's soccer team at our local YMCA.  I have coached in the 3 and 4 year old division every season since.  Along the way I have learned many lessons that have allowed my team to enjoy a high win percentage - despite the fact that our league doesn't keep score.

Anyone who has coached, or had a child participate in sports at this young age knows it can best be described as herding cats. My coaching philosophy is that any group of 3 and 4 year olds can become a winning team if they master just two simple things: 1) Knowing which goal they're kicking toward, and 2) not taking the ball from their own teammates.

In my opinion, the role of a manger is doing whatever it takes to create opportunities for your team to be successful.  As a coach I strive to teach my team the skills they will need to win.  During practice, I constantly ask the kids to point to the goal they are kicking toward. At the start of every quarter when we line up at midfield, I ask the kids what goal we are kicking toward, and wait until they all point to the right goal. If the entire team is not aiming for the same goal, the team cannot win.

The second thing that's critical for success in youth soccer and in business is not taking the ball from your own teammates. At this age the YMCA plays four on four with no goalies.  Scoring goals in soccer is much easier if there are four defenders instead of seven.

Please share your own thoughts on how each of these points applies to high performance teams in the workplace. The final soccer metaphor I'll leave you with is: you have to expect a few tantrums along the way. You must to be prepared to play your best even when your star player refuses to get out of Mommy's lap. 

William Schooley, PE
Clark Nexsen