The lesson of the Blue Star to the Green Bird

Last Sunday I was just watching the Sunday Night Football, the match between the Eagles and the Cowboys played in Philadelphia.

Very briefly: up to less than one month ago Dallas was playing fine in the season but on Thanksgiving the game between the two teams resolved in a bad loss for the Cowboys and in an easy walk on the pitch for the Eagles. The green defense set the difference and the blue and silver offense did not have any chance to express its potential.
Now, many people know that Dallas hardly wins on Decembers, that it is pretty weak on a psychological standpoint, and that Philadelphia this year is very strong, determined and conscious of their means. This would have probably led to another defeat for Dallas. But…

What did happen that turned Dallas into a strong team concentrated on winning the game and on avoiding any single mistake made in the previous game?

Probably just few things:

·         Confidence in its own strengths
·         Keenness to be successful
·         Ability to analyze its previous performance and its opponent’s one
·         Focus throughout the whole match
·         No fear to win
·         Getting the most out of its best players – Romo and his capability of staying in the moment even under a huge pressure from the defense, Murray and his eagerness to be the best ever, Bryant and his hunger as a young man who has strived for his entire life being born and raised in a poor environment

This is what had to be done, this is what the Cowboys did, and the results are in front of everybody. A thorough win, in spite of everything.

How could this simple recipe be useful also for business teams and organizations? How could we shift this to a corporate environment?

What could be the takeaways for you?

What would you think if I said that there is a lot to learn from what has happened between the first minute after the Thanksgiving game and the last minute of last Sunday’s game?

Who are the Romos, Murrays and Bryants in your company? And in your life?

These are very good questions… what are your answers?

My personal takeaway is that if you have a second chance, do whatever possible not to miss it! And work it the hardest possible, without making your competitor understand what a surprise you are cooking.

Sure there is a lot to learn, one thing above all: do not give anything for granted, because people can really go far beyond expectations when properly motivated – and engaged.

You’d like to know my own Romo, Murray and Bryant, wouldn’t you? Sorry, this is very much personal!

Your friendly OD guy,

Federico

PS Hope Frank Amoroso and Maria Fiore, my wife’s uncle and aunt, and big fans of the Eagles, won’t take it personally…