Ben is the player/coach of a soccer team in a competitive intramural university league. His team has a long tradition of winning. This season the team was struggling. Their good individual skills didn’t contribute to great team play. On-field passing and communication wasn’t happening. Ben, as coach, was faced with 2 obstacles:
- turning good players into a great team
- practicing during the rainiest fall in recent South Carolina history
Winning looked unlikely, and achieving playoff or even championship success impossible. Ben took these obstacles and turned them into opportunities.
He bought an indoor soccer ball and implemented 2 additional practices a week — late at night in a covered basketball court. While other teams practiced 4 times a week, Ben’s team was getting in 6. The smaller field and more casual atmosphere facilitated more talking and passing between his players. He invited players from previous championship teams to join these extra practices, introducing his team to the feeling of playing like a champion.
Then the rain came and no teams could practice. Instead of accepting the status quo, Ben found an indoor facility where his team could practice. While other teams were wishing the rain would stop, Ben’s team kept up their hard work.
On the field, the extra work was slow to show. They lost several close games. Then, as the playoffs approached the players started talking to each other more on the field. Their passing became sharper and more controlled under pressure. Ben was spending less time directing and pointing, and more time playing his position. The result, 2 playoff games won and a place in the League Championship match.
Ben’s guidance of this team has taught me that leaders look at obstacles as opportunities. That even when it’s ok to relax, you find a way to work harder. That instead of just directing and pointing fingers, leaders create winning teams by fostering communication and trust.
Obstacles? Opportunities. Are you a leader like Ben?
As Ben’s grandfather it has been great to be close enough to watch him grow and develop into a capable Christian young man and leader. It’s also a true blessing to be able to read this tribute to his leadership from his mother, our special daughter.
My company needs to hire that young man who has such keen leadership gifts. Who is he?
OK, he’s my son but I’m proud of him and am confident he will be a leader in organizations in the future, as he is today. The article made a good point about giving others positive direction instead of pointing fingers to blame others.
I not only am proud of my well loved grandson Ben, but also of my talented writer daughter-in-law Beth and her dad, who is such an encouragement to Ben and all of that family. God has blessed us all together. Of course, my son Brent has always made me proud as a son and as a father. I believe we all can learn from such leadership Ben.