It was the build up of the two best teams in the NFC — the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys playing in Dallas. Both teams were 10-1 going into the game. Only one team — in this case, Dallas — was going to come out of the game 11-1.
Studying how football teams win — and lose — is a passion of mine. Especially when it comes to the Packers, where I have been a fan since 1960(!). The Ice Bowl, the NFL Championships, the three Super Bowls are all things that I have experienced. Along with the horrendous 30-years between championships where the fans still came to support Packer football.
There are the highs, the lows — and the loyalty. There is the intense feelings that come with game time as well as the off-season. This, surprisingly, is my passion. Playing through others while learning what it takes to make a team. Learning how coaching and leadership develop a team. Determining how personnel can find and develop talent that can help you win.
Sure, there are differences between sports and business and I think sports has a tremendous advantage over business as there is downtime to rethink what we do both as a team and as a person.
But with sports, there is a mission. A goal. An objective worth fighting for.
How much of business is a mission? How much do your goals really count? How much time do you really have to develop your team and what you need as a person?
Business, at least large business, has lost the ability to inspire, to develop people, and to have a mission. That loses the passion that people desperately want to have when they work; to lose themselves working for something bigger than themselves.
Tell me if I’m wrong; I’d really love to know.
It was a great game even though Green Bay lost. But watching the game was passionate. Don’t you wish you could feel the same passion at your work?
Scot
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Scot, I hear you. I worked at Dell for my first job out of college and was not very inspired. Going to a start-up was the best thing that ever happened to me. I feel we have a mission. It definitely feels more like a football game. Perhaps that’s how Apple workers feel?
As for the game, I’m really sorry my Cowboys had to show your Packers up!
I wonder if “the mission” feeling is the province of small businesses — or if the mission feeling even exists in small businesses. In a start up, it is necessary.
For the rest of you out there — do you feel as though you were on a mission at work? What size company are you in?