I have worked with a number of great corporate teams this year and would like to share some timely lessons from one team — the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team.
"I loved Greg's message to our players and coaches, and so did they. Thank you for the presentations. Go Blazers and Water The Bamboo!"
— Terry Stotts, Head Coach, Portland Trail Blazers
“Stay humble and hungry.”
I have been a Blazer fan since I was a kid, so getting a call from Coach Terry Stotts to help the team was an absolute thrill.
The expectations for the team were very low in the eyes of the media and sports pundits because this year's team is considered young and had lost eight players, including All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and three starters in the off season. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. In fact, the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas said the team would only win 26.5 games this season and not make the playoffs — fortunately the team did not get the memo.
Fast forward: not only did the team make the playoffs but they defeated the LA Clippers in the first round and boast 48 wins as of this writing.
“When others bet against you, use it as motivation.”
This placard is displayed in the entry way of the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility.
Here are some lessons from the team that you can apply to your work and personal lives:
Don't listen to naysayers.
Follow your process.
Stay humble and hungry.
Share the credit.
Don't get too high or too low.
“Follow your process.”
What lessons from the Blazers would you apply to your life? Please add to the conversation – comment below or on Twitter at @gregbellspeaks.