As our work team continues to develop, I find myself thinking about leadership and coaching. Since forming the team was originally my idea, I feel an added responsibility to provide direction to our efforts. I feel comfortable with the role. I have an MBA and many years of business management experience. I have honed my leadership skills in both participating and coaching with athletic teams. This should be easy. My daughter, the “real coach” in the family, reminded me of the following coaching experience.
The year Janet turned 12 she decided to move up one age group in our Fast Pitch softball league. After considerable discussion, we agreed that it was best for her since this would allow her to play with her friends from school and at a level that fit her desire and skills. It left me with a problem, I had coached her team the last several years and would hate to not have her on my team, but I didn’t want to abandon the girls on the Panthers either. The perfect solution, I would coach both teams! To add a little more to the challenge, both teams set a goal to qualify to go the ASA National Tournament in their age group.
After a long summer of practices and competition, both teams did qualify for Nationals!!!!! The Panthers (11-12) were going to Richland, WA and the Butterflies (13-15) were going to Sioux Falls, SD the following week. Our accomplishment caused a stir in the local media. It seems no one could remember a coach taking two teams to Nationals the same year. The Irving Press ran a story in the sports pages. The Irving City Council even awarded a plaque for the accomplishment.
Early one morning my son answered the phone. Jim shouted down the hallway, “Its Sports Illustrated for you”. I raced to answer the call. On the way I stubbed my toe on the corner of a door (actually broke the toe), but nothing was going to keep me from talking to Sports Illustrated. After hobbling to the phone, I was greeted with “ For just 50 cents per issue……….”
To quote one of Janet’s favorite philosophers, “Never lose track of what really matters in life. It doesn’t matter how many points you score, or rebounds you grab, or games you win. In the end what matter is the kind of father, son, brother, husband or neighbor you are.” ---- Charles Barkley
Harry Gribnitz
Your Home Loan Specialist for Life!
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