The Washington Capitals obliterated 44 years of hockey frustration in dramatic fashion by taking home their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. And Alex Ovechkin, their team captain and legendary winger, finally got his due. Of course, it was a full team effort with both veterans and new teammates alike. But Ovechkin’s unbridled emotion and contagious enthusiasm after every scored goal set the tone for the team and the city.
Winning the title was a glorious moment which didn’t end when the final horn sounded. The win unleashed a well-chronicled and epic celebration that further cemented the bonds between the players and the city. And that euphoria still echoes throughout the Washington, DC area today.
For the die-hard Capitals fans, it was a delirious release of a pressure valve which had been building with every successive year of heart-wrenching disappointment.
Deep breath. Smile. Soak it in!
But what about the other fans swept up in the jubilation? The casual “playoff hockey fan” (Full disclaimer: I am closer to this side of the spectrum). The new fans who didn’t know the rules but appreciated the adrenaline rush of every goal. The 18-28 year-old crowd who ventured downtown more for the experience than the hockey. The young children dressed in red and cheering for “Ochie” and other names they couldn’t pronounce.
A funny thing happened. The Washington Capitals embraced the whole gamut of fans. A city starved for a championship and a fan base particularly persecuted with agony recognized the immense power of togetherness. Every type of fan was welcomed to the bandwagon. No judgment. No elitism. No “us” vs. “them”. Just as the players had learned to cheer for each other, there was a tacit recognition amongst the fan base that it would take a village to win a championship. And so it happened.
And couldn’t we all adopt that same mentality of togetherness in our work and personal lives?
Embrace a Fresh Perspective
In our work lives, there is often a healthy mix of veterans and rookies in any company or team. The veterans have suffered the battle-scars of company failures and tough times. The newer employees may be enthusiastic about the company but they have not been toiling in the trenches and lack any credible experience. They will look to the veterans for leadership and guidance.
As leaders, we need to harness this enthusiasm and fresh energy for the common good. We can’t afford to dismiss their lack of experience or naiveté about the business world. Winning teams create a culture of welcoming new voices to the decision-making process. No pre-conceived bias. No dismissive wave of the hand. Suffering is not a prerequisite for success. The newbies will pay their dues in time. In order to win in any company, we need to welcome all teammates to the bandwagon.
And just as Ovechkin caterwauled louder for his teammate’s goals than for his own, we all need to channel that same enthusiasm into the wins of our own teammates.
It takes a village.
We Can All Use More Support
The same is true in our personal lives. We all have a circle of close friends that sustain us in difficult times. We have been through the wars with them and there is no greater treasure. We need to honor and respect these relationships. But does that mean we close ourselves off to new relationships and friendships? Of course not!
New friends may not share our same formative experiences. They may not have gone through the early struggles and heartbreaks with us. But they are ready and willing to dive in with new experiences and share new memories. We need to reach out to them and give them a helping hand onto our bandwagon.
If we are going to make it in this world, we need all the help we can get. It takes a village.
Resilience is a Team Sport
We may have inner toughness and strength. We may be battle-tested and gritty. But we will all experience difficult moments that will crush our spirit. We will all hit that wall of frustration and heartbreak. And we can’t always get back on track alone. We need our bandwagon to be as large and diverse as possible. Resilience is not an individual sport.
By reserving judgment and welcoming all to participate on our team, we exponentially increase our own chance of success.
So embrace your new office members. Welcome them to the team. Solicit the opinion and perspective of the rookies. Open up the inner circle. Reach out and embrace new friendships and experiences.
And cheer like a crazed dog when someone else achieves glory in the name of a team victory. It will only enhance our own resilience and happiness.
It Takes a Village
The Washington Capitals transformed an entire town by embracing new teammates and new fans. And the fan base returned the favor in kind.
No judgment. No exclusion. Just pure joy.
So when my 9-year-old daughter, dressed head-to-toe in red, said she couldn’t wait to see “Pelly-Smith” score, there was only one natural response. A wide smile, a quick wink and an exuberant cheer:
“LET’S…GO…CAPS!!”
Until next week, keep smiling.