What does teamwork really look like?

Since I’m at the Paris Olympics, I’m not thinking too much about the workplace, but I can’t help but see sportsmanship on the field the same way I see teamwork in an office. It’s about helping others and seeing that true leadership comes from uniting with your team when there are difficulties and taking steps to overcome them TOGETHER. Sometimes leadership can also be about helping the other team!

There was no better illustration of this for me than during the waning minutes of the USWNT against Japan in the soccer quarter finals. When the game went into extra time you could see the players were cramping. At one point, an American player went down as the ball advanced to the opposite side of the field. We were all focusing on Japan’s attempt to score when the whistle blew. But we were amazed to look back to see the goal keeper for Japan helping the American stretch out her calf as she lay on the field. It was a remarkable show of sportsmanship, especially during such a pivotal moment. Such an act of class. We were all moved by it. The goalkeeper ultimately got a standing ovation for her kindness and sportsmanship — she deserved it!

I love how much we can learn about kindness, compassion and leadership by watching others. And I feel so lucky I got to watch it live here in Paris!