Three Things Being a Goalie Can Teach about Business

As the parent of two daughters who are goalies for their respective teams in ice and field hockey, I have had a lot of time to observe and learn what it means to be the last line of defense for your team. Here are three lessons that stand out.

1. Whether a team wins or loses, it is a full team effort. Even while there is a last line of defense who has to have the team's back and confidence, there is a full line on the ice or field that also makes or breaks the game. The energy of the forwards, midfielders, fullbacks, centers, right wing, and left wing — and the coaching team — all contribute to how well a team will perform in any particular game. If one or two people are having an off-day or an exceptional day, it can change the momentum - and the outcome of the game. While this is true in the workplace as well, it's often on a longer arc than just 45 or 60 minutes!
2. Don't let a moment dictate the end game. Look, we all have things that don't go our way at some point in our lives. The admission to the university of first choice, the job offer that didn't come through, or the promotion that went to someone else. The possible list is long and in the moment it can feel like a vortex from which there is no escape. A goalie and a team don't have the luxury of being sucked into a vortex for even 10 seconds. I have seen my daughters peppered with more than 10 shots in the first 5 minutes of a game. The difference between ending with gusto or succumbing is the ability to shake it off in the moment and start with a clear head in the game no matter what the scoreboard says. This is true in the workplace, too. No single moment should dictate the end game of where we aspire to be.
3. Being fierce and being kind both matter. My daughters have been fortunate to play with teammates who are fierce and out to do their best during the game. They also take care of one another even when a play doesn't go the way they would like. And while it is a bit easier to be kind to their own teammates even when someone missed a play — the true graciousness is when they can empathize and be gracious when the other team loses. Their victory comes on their own merits and not at the expense of belittling the opponent. Healthy workplaces and teams handle things in a similar way.