TOGETHER EVERYONE ACCOMPLISHES MORE

My responsibilities over a 30+ year period as a teacher-coach-high school principal and District Superintendent created a fundamental belief that if a decision affects others in the process, it is wise to involve each of them in the process of the decision.

Further, as a National Football League Referee for over a 30+ year tenure, my approach to making our crew (T.E.A.M.) the best it could be was by building chemistry among the crew. I was also privileged to be on the field to observe the T.E.A.M. building philosophies of legendary NFL Coaches Don Shula, John Madden, Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Chuck Noll, as well as many others.

This first-hand experience taught me:

1) Build teams by building people. Experience has shown that people respond to positive direction better than negative criticism. You can’t build people up by tearing them down.

2) “If you play alone, you’ll be alone” Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Steve Young told me. That’s why T.E.A.M. works!

3) Life is fast and often hectic in today’s society; we travel in the fast lane. On the highways, we call it “HOV” or “Diamond” lanes. If you drive in those lanes, you have to take someone with you –you can’t do it alone. That works in all areas as well.

Finally, teamwork comes before T.E.A.M. building! Trust is a vital factor in developing teamwork. Trust rolls on a 2-way street, thus:

Coming together is a beginning

Keeping together is progress

Working together is success!