Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh’s Post

🌟 Shifting Perspectives: From Family to Championship Teams 🏆 Just stumbled upon this thought-provoking video (link below) that challenges the classic metaphor of companies as families. Instead, it suggests thinking of our workplaces more like professional sports teams. 💬 "We're like a professional sport, not your kid's soccer team," says the speaker, highlighting the need for top talent in every position and the ongoing effort to maintain one's place on the team. As someone in the logistics industry at CRAFT Multimodal, this resonates strongly with me. It's about nurturing a culture of excellence, where each member brings their A-game, much like in a championship-winning team. It's not just about supporting each other (though that's important too!), but also about striving for individual brilliance and collective success. In our fast-paced industry, this approach is key to staying ahead of the game! 👉 Check out the video here: https://lnkd.in/eD6eEHcP What are your thoughts on this sports team analogy for professional environments? Let's discuss! ⚽️🏀🏈 #Teamwork #ProfessionalGrowth #LogisticsLeadership

Why do we keep coming back to sports even when it often ends in disappointment? Damon Bruce perfectly summed up this paradox. We follow our teams through thick and thin, yet if a pizza place forgets my ranch dressing, I vow to never eat there again. Check out how eloquently Damon Bruce explains

What are the ways professional sports teams are not always perfect analogies for (non-sport) business teams? 🏀 Some business leaders say that being part of their company is more like being part of a sports team than a family. What's different about the context of a professional sports team to a non-sport business?

Last week at a luncheon, a few old mates (Denis Pagan, Dr Harry Unglik & Wayne Carey) of the North Melbourne FC 1996 Premiership Team gathered to celebrate Corey McKernan’s 50th birthday. The occasion turned into a journey through time, revisiting football victories, pivotal moments, fun times, resilience and the development of life principles forged over the past 25 years. Conversations shifted to nostalgic reflections as memories flowed, victories were recounted and the challenging times that have been life shaping. The parallels between past sporting principles and present-day realities became evident. The key messages that resonated were the importance of principles like accountability, discipline, hard work, belonging and the need for a vision. All proving to be pivotal for their success at the time. The notion of vision emerged as a significant aspect of this success and a driving force in sport, business and life. The celebration transformed into a living testament to the enduring nature of these principles, living philosophies which shaped their journeys. Corey's 50th became a tribute to the wisdom that binds them, a celebration of timeless lessons learned on the field and translating into life. #highperformance #teamsuccess #teamculture

Scottie Scheffler is really good at golfing. And as he wakes up to see another green jacket hanging in his closet, Caitlin Clark wakes up for the last time not being the #1 pick in the WNBA draft. And we have all woken up to the opportunity to recognize a Nice Guy or Gal. Every Friday, I’ll share nominations for people who have been identified as nice guys (and gals). If you want to nominate someone, just shoot me a private message by 5:00 EST on Thursday. There are only 3 requirements: 1) you have to be connected to the person you nominate 2) you can only nominate one person per week 3) you can’t nominate yourself 😀   If you want to provide a brief reason for your selection, that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. Let’s recognize people who make a difference simply by being nice. Have a great day, everyone. https://lnkd.in/e8JX9YcC   #network #sportsbiz #people #niceguy #networking #sportsmarketing

Gathered with my friends on the Pickleball court, our laughter echoes through the air as we immerse ourselves in the excitement of this new and captivating game. The sound of paddles meeting pickleballs becomes a rhythmic symphony, a testament to our growing mastery of the sport. Friendly banter and spirited competition unfold as we seamlessly transition between opponents and teammates, turning the court into a playground of shared triumphs. Each well-placed shot is met with cheers, and we strategically navigate the court, showcasing precision and collaborative efforts. From the thrill of engaging rallies to the joy of shared victories, Pickleball becomes more than just a game—it becomes a canvas for unforgettable moments and the celebration of lasting friendships. With every serve and volley, we enhance our skills, turning casual play into a skillful dance on the court. The strategic elements of the game add layers of excitement, making each match a unique challenge that strengthens our camaraderie and sportsmanship. eChai Ventures Startup Pickleball Night

They only happen a few times per year, but when they do, they give us a valuable reminder. And they’re incredibly exciting. I’m talking about inside-the-park home runs. Most homers happen when a hitter crushes the ball over the fence. But sometimes it doesn’t need to go that far. Sometimes a player manages to round every base and beat the throw home. Speed plays a role, but there are many other variables at play. You have to hit the ball into the perfect location, and your third base coach needs to have both the vision and the trust to send you home. Then there are the variables you can’t control, such as the outfielder’s arm strength, the accuracy of the throw, and just plain luck. That’s why these plays are so rare — and why they hold value far outside the world of sports. Inside-the-park homers remind us that truly fantastic and unforgettable moments are only possible when you have a strong foundation: A foundation built on hard work, talent and great communication. And yes, a bit of luck never hurts! #leadership #teamwork #collaboration 

I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the amazing sponsor, #Commsworld, for their support. I couldn't be prouder of this young team and all they've accomplished this season! Watching these young footballers grow and excel on the field has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Coaching them provides a wonderful escape from the daily grind of life and work, and it's a joy I cherish. Interestingly, coaching football has many similarities that apply directly to my professional life. Here are a few: #Teamwork Success in football, as in business, relies on effective teamwork. Coaching has reinforced the importance of collaboration, communication, and working towards a shared goal. #Builing Positivity: Whether on the field or in the office, frosting a positive environment is crucial. Encouragement and support help’s build confidence and drives success. #Grit & Determination: The resilience and determination these young players show is truly inspiring. Their ability to persevere through challenges reminds me that with grit, we can overcome any obstacle, both in sports and in our careers. Coaching these amazing kids has been a source of great joy and inspiration. Here’s to many more victories on and off the field! ⚽️🙌 #YouthFootball #CoachingLife #Teamwork #Positivity #Grit #LifeLessons #ProudCoach

Having just played our annual slopitch tournament this past weekend, it made me reflect on the similarities of building teams both in sports and in companies. Tom Webster CPA, CA, ICD.D once used the analogy of building a team/department like you would build the Canucks lineup. Being a sports enthusiast, I realized how important it is to ensure you have the right mix of skills and experience to build a championship sports team as well as a high-performance team. From my perspective it's important to have the high potential rookies working closely with and learning from the wiley experienced veterans. It's important to have those with specific technical skills (i.e. the skilled player), excellent communication and soft skills, and leaders. And of course, a great coach/leader to guide the team, bring the best out of them, and help elevate their performance. When you have a diverse team who collaborate towards a common goal, you have a winning team. So what would your 'championship' team look like?

Challenge Accepted coming up this weekend at the Beach in Huddinge, Sweden. Time to Embrace Growth Beyond the Workplace (with a Side of Footvolley) Taking on challenges isn't just about climbing the work ladder. It's about growth—and sometimes, the sandy courts. Every challenge, whether professional or personal (or even a footvolley match), fuels our development. When we embrace challenges at work, we sharpen our skills, maybe learn new strategies, and can help us push our limits. This growth doesn't just stay at the workplace—it spills over into our personal lives, making us better friends, partners. And yes, maybe even better footvolley players 😀. The confidence and problem-solving abilities we gain allow us to support and uplift those around us more effectively. So, here’s some motivation for you all: take on that new project, push your boundaries, and step out of your comfort zone—whether it's the table tennis table, traveling solo for the first time, at the workplace, or the beach. Each challenge accepted is an opportunity for growth, making you better equipped to navigate all facets of life. Let's grow together, inside and outside of work (and maybe on the footvolley court too). #ChallengeAccepted #FootvolleyFun