The Building of a Winning Attitude: Means Effort, and Commitment

Attitude towards ones commitment makes

the difference;
The attitude in which we approach our

work as professionals makes the difference;

Must be able to talk attitude if we are

going to build one.

The following are thoughts that you as a

program might consider.

Attitude Suggestions
Mental Preparation The Unknown Ingredient:

Administrators, Staff, Teachers must win the mental battles. If a person is going to succeed they must be focused and must stay focused through the long haul of a challenge.
If you always do what youve always done, you

will always get what youve always got

How to Focus
Forget The Past Concentrate on what we are going to do now and in the future. Out Work With Effort and Attitude Leave no stones unturned. Must do the little things to be successful. Never assume. Commitment Be the best, give 150% effort.

Utilize Our Abilities Find the best way to put our teachers, coaches, and students in a position to win. Dont ask them to do things that they cant do. Seek Personal Bests Challenge yourself each and everyday to be the difference maker. Becoming #1 comes with a price tag.

The Foundation
Attitude Is The Foundation For Success in Life 150% attitude is the vehicle in which we should ride. The following numbers add up to 100, which equal 100% effort. The numbers underneath each letter of attitude represent their placement in the alphabet. To be the best add 50 additional percentage points with Effort and Attitude.
A T T I T U D E

20 +

20 +

9 +

20 +

21 + 4 +

5 = 100

The Building of a Winning Attitude

We as Teachers, and Coaches and Student/Athletes when formulating the winning ingredient for success must find a way to be different, that difference normally comes from positive effort and attitude. Within each and every sports program we must be able to generate the winning edge, this can be measured in the type of effort we give towards achieving our goals and how we support each other for success, to be Number 1, to be a State Champion, Etc.. Dare to be different, dare to focus, dare to improve on your attitude, dare to make the full commitment, and dare to be the difference maker.

General Expectations For Success

The information provided in this section will describe the general expectations for success:
1.

Give each student/athlete a chance to succeed, make them feel important, and be positive. Teach at top position skill level. Dont hold the good ones back, challenge the others, coach up not down. Maintain positive discipline Students and Athletes expect and want discipline, make them understand that discipline is part of the 150% effort required to go the distance (investment: Church, Family, Classroom, Homework, Community, Weight Room, etc.). Students & Players want teachers and coaches that believe in them. Every student/athlete must understand that he/she is important to the overall success of the team win or lose.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Instill a practice work ethic force your players to practice hard. Make players and coaches understand that when they step onto the practice field or into the classroom everything begins with 150% effort. All players want to be good, must understand their role as a player both on and off the field.
Coaches and players must appreciate everyones role on the team. A team is only as good as the last player, so, how good will that player be. Must sell this point to our coaches and student/athletes.

6.

7.

8.

Morale on a team is best measured by the coach and or player with the least role. Expect problems on a team, they will occur, dont get discouraged.

9.

10. Coaching is teaching so have a lesson plan developed. 11. Teaching takes care off all excuses for failure. Only coach what you can correct. If you have a systematic way to teach, then students and athletes have a systematic way to learn.

12. Demand certain attitudes, coach attitude. To be the best we must act like the best. Never be denied.
13. Hard work together + unity of team. Encourage each other to

work harder the harder we work the harder it is to surrender. Remember, if you dont invest very much then losing doesnt hurt very much, this applies to us as professionals as it does our student/athletes.

14. Our success Our Attitude Our Work Habits. These are the choices we make. Choose success
15. The most important thing we all must remember is; that our image as teachers and coaches can change the life's of those we touch and are entrusted to educate and coach.

17 Laws of Leadership for the Successful Administrator, Teacher, Staff Member, Coach, and Student Athlete
The Process For Becoming #1

1. The Law Of Significance

One Is Too Small a Number To Achieve Greatness

The Belief that one person can do something great is a

myth. A Team involves more than one person. A Team Maximizes its potential and minimizes its weakness. A Team provides multiple perspectives. A Team Shares credit for victories and blame for its losses. A Team keeps its leaders accountable for the goal. A Team can simply do more than an individual.

None of us is as smart as all of us The Book High Five

2. The Law Of The Big Picture

The Goal Is More Important Than The Role
If you think you are the entire picture, you will never see the big picture. When you see the big picture correctly, you serve the team more

quickly. Only when we all come together and give up our own agendas can we move up to a higher level. Sizing up the situation: people who live to build teams, seeing the size of the task ahead doesnt worry them. They dont shrink from the challenge-they savor the opportunity. The Law of The Big Picture: The vision or goal is more important than the individual.

If a team is to reach its potential, each person must be willing to subordinate his/her personal goals for the good of the group.
Bud Wilkinson

3. The Law Of The Niche

All People Have A Place Where They Add The Most Value

When people arent where they do things well, things dont turn out well. Thats the Law of The Niche
To help people reach their potential and maximize their effectiveness, stretch them out of their comfort zones, but never out of their gift zone. The wrong person in the wrong place = Regression The wrong person in the right place = Frustration The right person in the wrong place = Confusion The right person in the right place = Progression The right people in the right places = Multiplication

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

4. The Law Of Mount Everest

As The Challenge Escalates, The Need For Teamwork Elevates.

Never under estimate the difficulty of the climb. As our challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates. Nothing much happens without a dream. For something really great to happen, it takes a really great dream. Our potential is only as good as our current team. Thats why we must always know who is joining us on our journey. A great dream with a bad team is nothing more than a nightmare.

4. The Law Of Mount Everest

As The Challenge Escalates, The Need For Teamwork Elevates.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Many people focus too much attention on their dream and to little on the team. The challenge of the moment often determines the leader for the challenge. The size of our dream should determine the size of our team.

Type Of Challenge
New Challenge Controversial Challenge Changing Challenge Unpleasant Challenge Diversified Challenge Long-Term Challenge Everett-sized Challenge -

Type of Team Required

Creative Team United Team Fast and Flexible Team Motivated Team Complementary Team Determined Team Experienced Team

Type of Person On Our Team:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Enthusiastic Beginner Disillusioned Learner Cautious Completer Self-Reliant Achiever

Needs Direction Needs Coaching Needs Support Needs Responsibility

5.

The Law Of The Chain

The Strength Of The Team Is Impacted By Its Weakest Link

Not Everyone Can Take The Journey To Become #1 or reach team goals because: 1. They cant keep pace with other team members. 2. They dont grow in their area of responsibility. 3. They dont see the big picture. 4. They dont work on personal weaknesses. 5. They wont work with the rest of the team. 6. They cant fulfill expectations for their area.
We all must take pride in our responsibility to the others.

5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4.

The Law Of The Chain, continued

The Strength Of The Team Is Impacted By Its Weakest Link
A weak link is a member who doesnt want to change, grow, or conquer new territory. What happens when a weak link remains on the team: The stronger members identify the weak one. The stronger members have to help the weak one. The stronger members come to resent the weak one. The stronger members become less effective. The stronger members come to question the leaders ability. You lose the respect of the best when you dont deal properly with the worst. As long as a weak link is apart of the team, everyone else on the team will suffer. Remember, no matter what kind of situation we face, our responsibilities to our team come in the following order: To the organization To the team To the individual Our own interests and comfort come last.

6. The Law Of The Catalyst

Winning Teams Have People Who Make It Happen.

A Catalyst is never satisfied Get out of your comfort zone; you wont know what youre capable of until you try to go beyond what youve done before.

6.
1.

The Law Of The Catalyst

Winning Teams Have People Who Make It Happen.

A Catalyst has these nine qualities:

Intuitive
Catalyst sense things that others dont sense.

2. 3.

Communicative
Catalyst say things that other team members dont say in order to get the team moving.

Passionate
Catalyst feels things that others dont

4.

Talented
Catalysts capable of doing what others cant do because their talent is as strong as their passion.

5. 6. 7. 8.
9.

Creative
Catalyst thinks things others do not think.

Initiating
Catalyst does things that others cant do.

Responsible
Catalyst carry things that others do not carry.

Generous
Catalyst gives things that others dont give.

Influential
Catalyst is able to lead teammates in ways that others cannot.

6.

The Law Of The Catalyst

Winning Teams Have Players and Coaches Who Make It Happen.

The road to the next level is always uphill and if a team isnt fighting to move up, then inevitably it slides down. Three Kinds Of Players: 1. The player who doesnt want the ball. a. Some people dont have the ability to come through for the team in high pressure situations. 2. The player who wants the ball but shouldnt. a. This player cant carry the team to victory, the problem is that they dont know they cant. 3. The player who wants the ball and should. a. This is the smallest group, they consist of people who want to be the go to player at crunch time and who can actually deliver. They are the catalysts. To be the best, work positively to get out of your comfort zone. We wont know what we are capable of until we try to go beyond what weve done before.

7. The Law Of The Compass

Vision Gives Team Members Direction and Confidence

1.

A Teams vision must be aligned with:

A moral compass (look above) a. Theres only one true North. If our compass is pointing in any other direction then up, our team is headed in the wrong direction. b. A moral compass brings integrity to the vision. An intuitive compass (look within) a. Integrity brings fuel to the vision, passion brings fire. A historical compass (look behind) Build upon the past. a. A vision should build on the past, not diminish it. b. Anytime we cast vision, we must create a connection between the past, the present, and the future. A directional compass (look ahead). a. A directional compass gives a sense of purpose. A strategic compass (look around) a. Must have a strategy. It is not enough to stare up at the steps; we must step up the stairs. A visionary compass (look beyond). a. The vision of the team must look beyond current circumstances and any shortcomings of current teammates to see the potential of the team. You most have a long-range vision to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures. Charles Noble

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

7. The Law Of The Compass

Vision Gives Team Members Direction and Confidence

When you see it, you can seize it (Vision)

A check list for vision must have:
1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10.

Clarity because it brings understanding. Connectedness Because it brings the past, present, and future together. Purpose Brings direction to the vision. Goals Brings targets to the vision. Honesty Brings integrity to the vision and credibility to the system. Stories Brings relationship to the vision. Challenge Brings stretching to the vision. Passion Brings fuel to the vision. Modeling Brings accountability to the vision. Strategy Brings process to the vision.

8. The Law Of The Scoreboard

The Team Can Make Adjustments When It Knows Where It Stands The scoreboard provides a snapshot of the game at any given time.
For any type of team, the scoreboard is essential in the following

ways.
1.The scoreboard is essential to understanding.

2.The scoreboard is essential to evaluating growth, which equals change.

3.The scoreboard is essential to adjusting. 4.The scoreboard is essential to winning.

During any point in the game if you want to know where you stand just look up at the score board, Grade book, excet Scores, etc..
If you know what to do, then you can do what you know.

9. The Law Of The Bad Apple

Rotten Attitudes Ruin A Team

ATTITUDE: It is the Advanced Man of our true selves. Its roots are inward but its fruits are outward. It is our best friend or our worst enemy. It is more honest and more consistent then our words. It is and outward look based upon past experiences. It is what draws people to us or repels them. It is never content it is expressed. It is the Liberian of our past. It is the speaker of our past. It is the speaker of our present. It is the prophet of our future. Good attitudes among team members do not guarantee a teams success, but bad attitudes will guarantee its failure. Most bad attitudes are the result of selfishness. Attitude will impact our performance, regardless of talent, track record, or circumstances.

9. The Law Of The Bad Apple

Rotten Attitudes Ruin A Team

Truths about attitudes clarify how they affect a team and teamwork

Five truths:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Attitudes have power to lift up or tear down a team. An attitude compounds when exposed to others. Bad attitudes compound faster than good ones. Attitudes are subjective, so identifying a wrong attitude can be difficult. Rotten attitudes, left alone, ruin everything.
+ + + + + attitudes rotten attitudes bad attitudes average attitudes good attitudes = = = = = results bad team average team good team great team

Abilities Great talent Great talent Great talent Great talent

Note: most bad attitudes are the result of selfishness

10. The Law Of Accountability

Teammates Must Be Able To Count On Each Other When It Counts

One of the greatest compliments a person can receive is being counted on.
We dont work for each other, we work with each other. Your Character + Your Competence + Your Consistency + Your Cohesion = Accountability Theres and old saying when it comes to teams; either you are pulling together or youre pulling apart.

Questions we must ask ourselves when determining accountability:

Is your integrity unquestioned (Character)? Do you perform your work with excellence (Competence)? Are you dedicated to the teams success (Commitment)? Can you be depended upon every time (Consistency)? Does your actions bring the team together (Cohesion)? Anytime you desire to build a team, you have to begin by building character in the individuals who make up the team.

11. The Law Of The Price Tag

The Team Fails To Reach Its Potential When It Fails To Pay The Price.

Four truths about this law:

1. 2. 3. 4.

The price must be paid by everyone. The price must be paid all the time. The price increases if the team wants to improve, change, or keep winning. The price never decreases. Most people who quit dont give up at the bottom of the mountain; they stop halfway up it. Our team only reaches its potential when the individual reaches his/hers.

When our personal goals conflict with the greater goal of our team, we have three choices:
1. 2. 3.

Put down the goal (because the team is more important then the individual). Put off the goal (because its not the right time). Part with the team (because its better for everyone).

12. The Law Of The Bench

Great Teams Have Depth

The bench is made up of people who indirectly add value to the organization or who support the starters. Every human being has value and every player on the team adds value to the team someway. Never be in a hurry to pigeonhole anyone on your team as a nonstarter. Given the right encouragement, training and opportunities, nearly everyone who has the desire has the potential to emerge as somebody that will help in the end. There are reasons to honor and develop your teammates who may not be considered starters. Here are several:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Todays bench players may be tomorrows starters. The success of a supporting player can multiply the success of a star. There are more bench players than starters. A bench player placed correctly will at times be more valuable than a starter. A strong bench gives the leader more options. The bench is usually called upon at critical times for the team.

12.

The Law Of The Bench Cont.

Great Teams Have Depth

Build the bench today for the crisis you will face tomorrow. You dont need the bench when things are going well; you need it when things

arent going well.

Any team that is avoiding stagnation by trying to improve will go through

changes, and as the revolving door moves, different kinds of Commitment drives away uncommitted while it makes those who stay even stronger in their commitment they already possess.
If you are on the bench, then your job is to do two things; help the starters to

shine, and prepare yourself to be a starter in the future.

Pick good men and women ,tell them not to cut corners, and back them to the

limit.
The key to making the most of the Law Of The Bench is to continually improve

the team.
The only place that never loses people is the cemetery.

13. The Law Of Identity

Shared Values Define The Team

Just as personal values influence and guide an individuals behavior, organizational values influence and guide the teams behavior. What it takes is common vision (The Law Of The Compass) If everyone embraces the same values, team members can still have a connection to one another and to the larger team. All teams need stability to perform well and to grow. Team building requires something to build on, and values make the strongest foundation. Values help set the standard for a teams performance. Once you give up your ethics, the rest is a piece of cake. To a person with no values, anything goes. What you believe identifies who you are.

13. The Law Of Identity

Shared Values Define The Team

If our players and staff dont know what their values are and unable to live them out their chances of working as a unit and reaching their potential are very small. Team building needs something to build on, and values make the strongest foundation.

Values will help set our standards for our performance.

A teams values will attract people with like values.

Who you are is who you attract.

14. The Law Of Communication

Interaction Fuels Action
1. 2.

Effective teams have teammates who are constantly talking to one another. Leadership is best built upon with communication. Four areas for developing good team communication: From leader to teammates From teammates to leader. Among teammates. Between the team and public. Working together means winning together. We must be an extension of each other. We are only as good as each other.

3.
4.

15. The Law Of The Edge

The Difference Between Two Equally Talented Teams Is Leadership
What is the key to success? Is it talent? Hard Work? Technology?

Efficiency? To be successful our team needs all of these, but what it needs most of all is Leadership. Personnel - determines the potential of the team. Vision determines the direction of the team Work Ethic determines the preparation of the team Leadership determines the success of the team. Everything rises and falls on leadership. If our team has great leadership, then it can gain everything else it needs to go to the highest level. Leaders transfer ownership for work to those who execute the work. Leaders create an environment where each team member wants to be responsible. Leaders coach the development of personal capabilities. Leaders learn quickly and encourage others to learn rapidly. Everyone is important but not everyone is equal.

16. The Law Of High Morale

When Youre Winning Nothing Hurts
1. 2. 3.

4.

The four stages of Morale: Poor Morale When the leader must do everything. The team is dead in the water and negative. Low Morale The leader must do productive things. The team is making some progress, but it is cohesive and confident. Moderate Morale The leader must do difficult things. The team is experiencing some wins and beginning to believe in itself, but some hard decisions need to be made to take it to the next level. High Morale The leader must do few things. The team is performing close to its potential, its winning, and it just needs to be kept on track.

When you do well, you feel good when you feel good, you do well. When youre winning nothing hurts.

17. The Law Of Dividends

Investing In The Team Compounds Over Time
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

How to invest in our team: Make the decision to be #1 This starts the investment in the team. Gather the best team possible both coaches and players. This elevates the potential of the team. Pay the price to develop the team this ensures the growth of the team. Empower team members with responsibility and authority. This rises up leaders for the team. Give credit for success of the team this lifts the morale of the team. Watch to see that the investment in the team is paying off This brings accountability to the team.