Leadership Lessons from a Gold Medal Winning Team

 
 

Leadership Lessons from a Gold Medal Winning Team

Sean Murray is the Founder & President of RealTime Performance, Inc., a leadership & organization development consulting firm. His past work includes partnerships with Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, State Farm, and Johnson & Johnson.

Sean started his career with GE Capital at the Center for Learning & Organizational Excellence, and most recently wrote If Gold Is Our Destiny: How a Team of Mavericks Came Together for Olympic Glory (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2022). He is also host of The Good Life Podcast.

September 29th, 2022

Watch the full webinar in the video above, or read the recap below.

If Gold is Our Destiny

On August 11th, 1984, the US men's volleyball team took on Brazil for the Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles. The US men’s team had never medaled at a major international tournament, and it was a long road to this point. In early 1980s, this team’s roster was stacked with talented individuals, but they weren’t working as a team. In order to build teamwork and cohesion, the players and coaches endeavored on a three-week, 100-mile Outward Bound backpacking course through the Abajo Mountains in Canyonlands National Park in winter.

Understandably, many of the players did not want to go, but the trip proved pivotal for the team’s cohesion. Teamwork was essential for survival out in the wilderness, and over the three weeks, this team laid a foundation of trust. Back home on the court, the team then developed “the American System” as a team strategy. This approach allowed the creativity of each player to flourish, as they listened to and trusted each other, placing the success of the team above themselves. Through their experiences on and off the court, every player knew they had to play as a team to win the gold medal in 1984.

Creating a Shared Life Experience

Before their Outward Bound trip, the team was not playing as well as each individual player’s talent would suggest. They were inconsistent, and would fall behind in games with little hope for a comeback. To foster a team mentality, the coaches and team psychologists were determined to create a shared, significant life experience in order to develop a bond as a team. Their first idea was to take the team through a Marine boot camp (and were promptly denied). The next option was Outward Bound.

On their grueling trip, the Outward Bound instructors taught the group to survive, which often forced the teammates to rely on each other. Around the evening campfires, the instructors prompted the team to talk through conflict that arose during the day, processing and developing the bond between each teammate. The coaches themselves were in the thick of it and came alongside the players as full participants of the course.

“The American System”

When the team arrived back from the Abajo Mountains, there was trust amongst them. The challenge then became how they would apply the lessons learned in the wilderness, including forming a fresh team strategy. The coaches initially tried to copy systems from other countries, including the Soviets and Japanese, but none fit the strengths and weaknesses of the American team. The Japanese in particular were completely open and candid about their system, but felt comfortable giving away their secrets because “only the Japanese can play like the Japanese.” This inspired the American team to develop their system to their strengths, leading ultimately to “the American System.” This approach allowed players to start specializing in unique aspects of the game and call audibles, crafting an aggressive and unpredictable play style.

What can your team do?

A three-week backpacking trip isn’t a feasible option for most teams, but Sean offers a few ways to build camaraderie: Start with allowing time for individuals to share about themselves with the team and be vulnerable with each other. Building relationships is especially difficult while remote working, but it’s vital to build a culture where a team can relate to each other on a deeper level. For the US men’s volleyball team, developing the American System took trial and error. Players and coaches both introduced and tried creative ideas. Providing space for all members of your team can likewise improve bonding among your team.

How else can your team grow together for effective growth and success? Contact us to learn how we can help your team reach its true potential for impact. 

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