As a kid growing up in the 80s, I was a sports fanatic. Football, basketball, baseball, track, cross-country—even a season of hockey—filled my calendar. Sports were more than a pastime; they were my passion. But something special happened one summer when I was in seventh grade, and looking back, it taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and resourcefulness—lessons that resonate with me as a small business owner today.
The Idea That Sparked It All
Back then, travel sports weren’t as common as they are today, but one of my friends managed to get on a travel baseball team. I was jealous. Competing against teams outside our little league sounded exciting, but my friend’s team was full, and I didn’t know of any other local options. Then it hit me: why not create my own team?
The idea was thrilling. I had a group of friends who loved playing together at the local field, and we all shared a common purpose—have fun and win. So, with no real experience but plenty of determination, I set out to make it happen.
Building the Team
I started by rallying my friends. It wasn’t hard to convince them; the idea of forming a team and playing against new opponents was exciting for all of us. Together, we figured out who would play which position and who could gather the gear we needed. At 13 years old, this was no small feat. We needed two brand-new game balls for each official match, plus catcher’s gear—items that weren’t cheap or easily available to kids our age.
I still smile thinking about how we pieced it all together. Our equipment wasn’t shiny or uniform, but it worked. We practiced, planned, and even determined our batting order. The more we talked and prepared, the more we believed in our mission: to win and have fun doing it.
Securing the Big Game
Once we had the team and a few practices under our belt, I reached out to the coach of my friend’s travel team, a local commercial real estate agent, to ask if we could schedule a scrimmage. To my surprise, he said yes.
We couldn’t contain our excitement. We’d built our team from scratch, aligned on our purpose, and now we had a chance to prove ourselves.
Game Day at Ada Park
Game day came, and we showed up to Ada Park, a mix of nerves and excitement. The opposing team arrived in pristine uniforms, looking every bit the part of a professional squad. We, on the other hand, had cobbled together gear and mismatched attire. But none of that mattered.
I remember proudly meeting their coach at home plate to hand over the two brand-new game balls—rules I’d learned by researching what was required. To my delight, I found out I could keep the balls since scrimmages didn’t require the same formality.
Lessons That Still Matter
Reflecting on that experience as a business owner, I realize how much of it mirrors the challenges and opportunities of leadership:
- Purpose Aligns Teams
Just like my friends and I rallied around a shared goal, businesses thrive when everyone is aligned around a clear purpose. We knew what we wanted—to compete and win—and that focus gave us direction. - Resourcefulness Breeds Success
We didn’t have the fancy equipment or the structured organization of an established team, but we made do with what we had. In business, resource constraints are common, but creativity and determination often lead to unexpected wins. - Roles and Responsibilities Matter
We didn’t just show up and wing it; we planned who would play each position and even strategized our batting order. In business, knowing individual roles and how they contribute to the team’s success is crucial for progress. - Excitement Fuels Commitment
Our enthusiasm for the game kept us motivated through every challenge. When you’re passionate about your work, that energy is contagious and drives results.
That scrimmage at Ada Park remains one of my favorite memories—not just because we got to play, but because it was an early lesson in what it takes to build something from the ground up. As a leader, whether on a baseball diamond or in a business, the principles of purpose, resourcefulness, and teamwork remain the same.
So here’s my challenge to you: Think back to a time when you built something—an idea, a team, a project—from scratch. What lessons did you learn? And more importantly, how are you applying those lessons today?