Building Resilient Teams: Lessons from the Hockey Rink to the Boardroom
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As a parent of two hockey players, I’ve spent countless hours at the rink, witnessing teamwork, grit, and the occasional spectacular goal. Watching my kids play, I’ve come to appreciate that the lessons from the ice can be just as valuable in the boardroom as they are on the rink. Like hockey coaches, business leaders need to build resilient teams that adapt quickly, recover from setbacks, and play to their collective strengths.
Here are three leadership lessons from hockey that translate into better team management:
1. Play as a Team, Win as a Team
Hockey is a fast-paced sport where individual talent shines only when it integrates with team strategy. A star player is nothing without teammates setting up the play. Similarly, in business, fostering collaboration ensures the whole team succeeds. Leaders should focus on creating environments where every individual contributes to the team’s goals, not just their own.
Business Takeaway: Encourage cross-departmental collaboration and celebrate team wins. Recognize those who assist behind the scenes as much as those who score the “goals.”
2. Resilience is Built Through Challenges
Hockey players take hits, lose games, and face setbacks—but they always get back on the ice. Resilient teams in the workplace also recover quickly, learning from failures rather than fearing them. The ability to pivot and adapt is key in today’s unpredictable business landscape.
Business Takeaway: Foster a culture where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities. Offer support and resources for your team to bounce back stronger.
3. Adapt to the Fast Pace of the Game
In hockey, the game changes in seconds. Players must make split-second decisions, adapt to new plays, and react to opponents’ moves. Similarly, businesses must be agile, constantly adjusting strategies in response to market changes, customer needs, and industry trends.
Business Takeaway: Equip your team with the tools and training needed to make informed, rapid decisions. Regularly review and refine strategies to keep pace with changing conditions.
A Leader’s Role: The Coach on the Bench
As a leader, your job mirrors that of a hockey coach: provide the vision, define the strategy, and support your players in executing the plan. Whether you’re leading a product development team or managing a sales department, resilience and teamwork will be your winning combination.
The next time I’m watching my kids take the ice, I’ll be reminded that the lessons they’re learning—teamwork, perseverance, and adaptability—are the same principles I strive to embody and instill in my professional life. As leaders, we don’t need a rink to practice these principles, but a hockey mindset can make all the difference.