Play Like the Patriots - Win Like the Celtics

Regular readers of this blog know that I set New Year’s themes, not resolutions.  At the beginning of the year, after the incredible regular season performance by the New England Patriots (American football), I decided my theme would be “Play Like the Patriots.”  But, as many of you know, my beloved team lost the Superbowl back in February.  I was forced to write a clarifying blog entry explaining that my theme was “play like the Patriots,” not “win like the Patriots.”

Last night, another Boston team won the championship - the Boston Celtics (basketball).  Until 1986, the Celtics were a dynasty.  But they fell on hard times and last year were one of the worst teams.  But this year, they won the NBA championship in a decisive 131 to 92 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Maybe my theme should be “play like the Celtics.”  Or maybe even “win like the Celtics.” 

In some respects, basketball is a better analogy for business success than American football.  The game is, for the most part, continuous.  All five players on the court must play both defence and offence.  They are a true team.  They play to the strengths of one another, yet are versatile enough to change roles when necessary.

Doc Rivers, the coach of the Boston Celtics, used the African word “ubuntu” as the unifying team motto.  As I understand it, this roughly means “I am, because we are.” Beautiful.

Do you play like a member of the Celtics?  Is your organization playing as a team as powerfully as it can? 

I suspect few of us - individuals or organizations - truly play (and win) like the Celtics.

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