One of the things that makes the Ryder & Solheim Cups so special is watching golfers experience the joy of participating on a team.
In case you don’t follow golf, the Ryder and Solheim Cups are the men’s and women’s biennial golf competitions between the USA and Europe.
Athletes who normally exhibit steady self-control during the ups and downs of a round get to compete with a team. High fives and shouts from players and fans alike bring an energy charge to an atmosphere that is typically reserved and austere.
It’s patriotic and as much a blast as one can have watching (and probably playing) golf!
One of the big stories of the 2016 Ryder Cup was that Captain Davis Love did not select Bubba Watson to play on the USA team, despite him being the No. 7 player in the world.
Bubba could have been ticked off at what many considered a snub.
But instead he asked if he could be a vice-captain in order to participate on the team in some way.
And then, when the USA won for the first time since 2008, check out this video of Bubba’s response:
CLICK HERE to watch the video (the second one on the page).
Did you catch these three statements?
This is the greatest thing I’ve ever done in golf. (He’s a two-time Masters champion, by the way.)
I love to help and I love to give, and finally I found my place on the team is to help.
It was a dream come true for me, and I’m so happy for this team.
He didn’t pick up a club all week, but he made a massive impact on his teammates—walking shoulder to shoulder, encouraging and helping them in ways that led to their success.
And he found ultimate satisfaction and meaning in helping others succeed.
Athletes on your team have all sorts of roles.
Society conditions us to believe the lie that the team members who really matter are the ones who score points, get the most hits or run the fastest.
As coaches and leaders it’s up to you to shatter that myth.
Find ways to value everyone on your team, regardless of their role. [Tweet That!]
Especially those whose job it is to clap and cheer. You know—the ones you ask to bring positive energy and enthusiasm every day even though they may never see the court or playing field.
Notice them.
Affirm them.
Do all you can to help them understand that, like Bubba, when they excel at their role, they make everyone around them better.
And that’s when your team has its best shot at success.
2016 Ryder Cup—Every Role Matters appeared first on Life Beyond Sport.