By Jorge Araújo
Former professional basketball coach
The fans’ concern or delight at the results of their soccer teams has been evident. In this sport, as in others, Benfica, Sporting and F. C. Porto are therefore a source of constant observation and analysis. That’s why fans always react enthusiastically when they are presented with so-called reinforcements. And they naturally think that the better the reinforcements, the better their team. But is that always the case?
The reality we live with doesn’t seem to show it! Let’s delve a little deeper into this question. What is a team? A group of people who interact with each other in the service of common goals. When we are a team, we are dealing with a social reality. This means that the respective players and coaches, as individuals, are almost always centered in their comfort zones, feeling (or not!) the need to cooperate in the service of their club. I would say that sometimes they do and their team is a “whole greater than the sum of its parts”. At other times, the opposite is true. With the obvious disappointments and consequent criticism and disillusionment.
In general, as people, players and coaches behave in their professional practice by “feeling and making you feel”, revealing previously acquired behaviors through “bodily knowledge” that continuously expresses habits, beliefs, values, etc.
As members of a team, it’s important not to forget that they were all born and have lived through a continuous series of experiences that have allowed them to “become who they are”, depending on the behavioral training they were previously given by their family, school, university, club, military service, etc.
They are human beings, (People) who, as members of a team, influence and are influenced in all their previously acquired behavioral complexity; thus revealing as requested, skills, opinions, etc.
Sometimes they want to be “right”, not listening to anything or anyone or, on the contrary, showing the necessary ability to “make themselves heard” because they show the necessary attention and care for those with whom they communicate. With obvious needs in terms of effectiveness, alignment, organization, skills and focus. This “obliges” a team to carry out a continuous execution control which, as often as necessary, assesses whether the results achieved so far correspond to the objectives previously set.
Are we being effective? What is the balance between proposed objectives and achieved results?
Are we aligned with the common objectives? Or, on the contrary, is it “every man for himself”?
Are we organized? Are everyone’s tasks clear and well defined, and are we collectively organized?
Do we have the necessary skills? Do we have to teach and gradually improve or, given the urgency of the need, do we have to recruit?
Are we focused and committed? Do we have the collective concentration and commitment required? Is each member of the team committed to the common goal previously set to be achieved? Do all team members show commitment and, if necessary, a capacity for sacrifice in the service of the team’s objectives?
But beware! All of this will only become possible when a leadership emerges in these teams that is capable of inspiring and mobilizing a significant collective expression; where all the respective members, including the leader, demonstrate at all times a total willingness to “serve the whole” rather than “serve the collective” to which they belong. A leader who organizes, defines tasks, teaches how to do them, monitors and gives continuous feedback, periodically checks the performance of those he leads, listens and questions. Recruits if necessary, according to the needs of the team at any given time.
As for the team, it has “critical success factors”. In particular, the ever-present relational conflicts that “impose” the creation of a social climate based on mutual trust and an ever-increasing commitment to the common objectives to be achieved. There is also the need for periodic monitoring of implementation and previously set targets. In the end, there is an urgent need for continuous improvement.
