WIN

“There’s no I in team, but there is an I in win. And it’s the individuals that make a team great.”

That line from Nick Saban during the Peach Bowl stuck with me. As a lifelong sports girl, it reinforced something I've always believed: Saban isn't just a great coach, he's a great leader.

You can have the best product or solution in the world, but without the right team in place, you will fail. You need the "I" to win.

Years ago, while working at one of the tech giants, our CEO told a sales training class that we weren't needed because the product sold itself. Not only untrue, but an incredibly demotivating way to lead a sales team. For decades, I watched quality individuals filter through that company like water. They were not respected for what they brought to the team.

 Saban's comment was made in reference to the Indiana Hoosiers football team. I grew up and spent most of my life in Indiana (not an alum—proud Butler grad here), and I'm genuinely in awe of what Coach Cig has built.

He wasn't chasing 4- and 5-star recruits. He looked deeper- for grit, heart, and what the Wall Street Journal called “physical flexibility." (Side note, you have to love that the WSJ is writing about football). He built a plan, executed it, and it's working. Undefeated and heading into the championship game with a shot at their first-ever CFP win.

 I've always believed that athletes and coaches often make exceptional employees. They understand preparation, game planning, execution, accountability, and teamwork.

 Let's be more like Coach Cig and focus on finding the right "I” for our teams.

If you want to learn how we help SMB, Commercial, and Enterprise clients build high-performing teams, DM me.

And… Go Big Red! 🔴⚪️

picture created using ChatGPT for some of my alum friends earlier in this season