Teamwork

A champion team often beats a team of champions.
I remember seeing that years ago when the Broncos players and coach were on State of Origin representative duties.  Craig Bellemy was in charge of what were called the “baby Broncos.”  They were not expected to beat teams that played first grade regularly.  Yet they did.
I also saw this when I was playing competition table tennis. Often individuals which were not as highly ranked as their opponents would beat them in doubles.
I asked myself why.  I felt I knew why in part but looking into things there have been additions to my thinking I reckon are relevant.
Chief among them are the team leader.  They always look out for and inspire others.  To me that is one of the great strengths of Bellamy.  He often takes no names and turns them into champions.  One site likens the difference in leaders as the difference between a sheepdog and a wolf.  A sheepdog protects while a wolf prays on the week.  A sheepdog looks out for the “we” rather than just the “me.”
I saw this in Rhyse Walsh and the Broncos when they beat Melbourne to win the premiership.  Walsh was not the captain but he was a leader.  Walsh to me played like he believed they could win.  It seemed to inspire those around him.  I cannot think how often I have seen a player do something sustained in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition, that has inspired others to collectively do what it takes.
What I personally love about the “we” rather than “me” mentality is that it makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts.  What shines rather than individual brilliance is the brilliance born of a shared goal competently pursued.  A working together to produce a desirable outcome rather than the shining of individual brilliance.
An individual may shine but the context is one of sharing rather than highlighting an individual.  I think of team pursuit in bike riding.  Often one leads and turns are taken to give the others a rest.  The brilliant individual may be used at the end but the team lays the foundation.
I love teams.  It means I do not need to be the best in history.  I just need to focus and put 100% into what I am doing, along with my teammates and look out for them.  We may not be the best there is but together we can achieve more than we ever could as individuals.