Blog of Intellectual Capital

The Marlinspike* CEO
by Jim McHugh
An in-depth management guide
for C-Suite executives, investors and advisors.
11 Timeless Team Commandments
Technology Telltales: Diner Offsites
For years, I’ve followed the sports columnists of the Boston teams. I particularly respected and enjoyed Bob Ryan’s sports analysis – still do. (An aside…I actually was a local newspaper sports reporter in high school – football only). There’s a lot to learn in business from studying sports – how to nurture and lead a successful team in particular. So what you’ll read in this issue is NOT a rehash of typical organizational development theory…

Please keep sending along your comments…I always enjoy reading them.

Jim

11 Timeless Team Commandments

Bob Ryan began his prolific writing career working as a sportswriter for The Boston Globe in 1968. He recently published his autobiography, Scribe. Scribe is described as “…a career capping narrative by one of the sports world’s most admired journalists.”

One of Bob’s favorite teams? The Boston Celtics

One of Bob’s favorite sports figures? The late Red Auerbach, the extremely successful coach (and later President) of the Celtics.

Red was a character but he wasn’t complicated. In 1952 (63 years ago for those who are doing the math) Red wrote a timeless book called Basketball for the Player, Fan and the Coach.

What do these activities/events have in common: the Super Bowl, Spring Training, March Madness, running for charity, launching a new software product, or a secretive special forces operation. They all involve teams. Teams that are led, teams that work together and teams that have goals.

Red Auerbach provided simple lessons about teamwork in a chapter in his book entitled: ‘Attitude of Players to His Teammates’. Bob Ryan reprinted Red’s 11 Team Commandments in Scribe.

Think about your players, your team. What are their attitudes toward each other? Let your mind wander a bit to how these might apply to your business. This is good stuff. My favorite is ‘#5 dribble with a purpose’!

1.  You must think of getting along with your teammates because if you are not well liked it is easy for them to “freeze you out.”
2.  Show a desire to block or screen for your teammates so they will do the same for you.
3.  Show your teammates that you take the good shots. Don’ t appear too “hungry”.
4.  Don’t hold the ball too long. Look for men cutting.
5.  Dribble with a purpose. Don’t just stand there hugging the ball or dribbling while your teammates continually cut.
6.  Help your teammates on defense. Switch whenever necessary.
7.  Don’t chide a teammate whose man happens to score. Often it’s the fault of the whole team.
8.  Don’t be too chummy with one or two players. Avoid obvious cliques.
9.  Don’t discuss the faults of any teammate with the other members of your team.
10. Don’t give the impression that you are always hanging around the coach and discussing your teammates with him, unless, of course, you are the captain and the coach asks your opinion.
11. When scrimmaging, don’t loaf or take it easy. This will keep the high respect of your teammates. Remember, “There are no friends on the other team, even in practice.”
The Marlinspike CEO is written by Jim McHugh. Jim is an Entrepreneur, CEO Coach, Optimist, Instigator of Positive Change…and Fixer of Stuck Companies. CEOs, family owners, investors and Directors enlist Jim to be their ‘fresh pair of eyes’ and confidant.