April 10, 2009

How To Be An Impact Player

by Joel Burke

KYGO

Denver, CO

March has got to be one of the most exciting times of the year! It’s all about basketball, basketball and more basketball!  I enjoy every minute!   It’s the time of the year when a few small universities from around the country earn the right to be on the big stage with the large universities.

In the madness of this marathon of games, there is always at least one small school that jumps up out of nowhere and pulls off a surprising upset. Those games usually end up being decided off of one play. The play could be a long three point shot or the winning free throw with just a couple of seconds to play. 

How can that one player in one brief moment end up making such a huge impact on the outcome of the game?

  How to be an impact player on your team?

1.     An impact player must be unselfish! I’ve been known to yell at the television when I see a three on one fast break and the one guy who has the ball is more concerned about being see in the highlights than actually caring who scores the two points. Michael Jordan once said,  “talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

2.     An impact player understands there is no small role on the team- only small-minded people.  Being small minded could easily be Team MVP or a player who seldom steps on to the court to play.

3.     An impact player must understand their role on the team. The role could be someone very seldom gets into the game, but is always on alert when his name is called.

4.     An impact player must know their position as well as everyone else on the team! The more someone knows about what everyone else does, the more valuable that individual becomes to the team.  I have

actually heard people say even recently that  they don’t want to learn something new because that means I might have to work more!  That would be ground for the team to fire this person!

5.      An impact player must be ready for the team as if they are the starting

           point guard even though they seldom get any playing time. That     

requires the player to practice just as hard and study just as hard as the superstars.

6.     An impact player understands that if one part of the team is weak, the whole team is weak. So, an impact player makes sure they are the best they can be.

So, what kind of impact will you have on your team? It could be the team at work or your team (family) at home. Is it all about you getting the credit or about the team? During these tough times of people losing their jobs, I challenge you to take the initiate to raise your own bar. That way, you will be far more valuable and ready to have a positive impact on your team.  There truly isn’t another choice!