Coach Brooks of the USA hockey team upset the Russians’ twenty-year win in the Olympics. He picked rival college hockey players to build a team with a vision. You can use his strategies to make your own “miracle” team.
The movie “Miracle” is about when the USA hockey team upset the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Russia had won the previous 5 out of 6 Olympic hockey games. The USA team consisted of amateur players averaging 21 years of age, the youngest Olympic team in history.
Herb Brooks, the coach selected players who were rivals on their college teams. This rivalry carried over onto the Olympic team for several months. He turned them into one united team for the USA. The team was later nicknamed, “Miracle on Ice”.
To date, 1980 was the last time the USA hockey team won a gold medal.
Coach Brooks was a leader with a vision as well as a coach. Here are 4 keys of his winning strategy.
1. Selection of the right team members is key.
Each player had talent and they had the right characteristics to push towards the final goal.
2. Players got onboard or they could be replaced.
Coach Brooks brought in an outside player late in the process to let them know they could be replaced.
3. Clearly communicate the vision and how it will be achieved.
They beat the Soviets by playing their game and training harder.
4. Leaders were chosen for specific roles because of their ability to lead people.
The coach knew the limits of each player and how far to push. The assistant
coach handled issues with players. The team leader clearly demonstrated their role as one team for the USA.
The coach knew the limits of each player and how far to push. The assistant coach handled issues with players. The team leader clearly demonstrated their role as one team for the USA.
Coach Brooks did not choose players based on age, education or experience. He looked at the individual to see what he could bring to a winning team.
What do you look for when choosing members for your winning team?
Jean Brownlie is a certified trainer and hybrid consultant with a listening ear for perceived needs and reasonable voice for growing your business. Click the box below to learn more about how she can help your business thrive.
