My latest article at workforce.com is up this week, and I'm in an NFL state of mind. What's on my radar? I think all HR Pros who follow the NFL, in even a passing fashion, should be in love with the New England Patriots.
Not because they are 18-0, but because they epitomize teamwork. Here's one illustration from my
article of how the Patriots' organization gets the TEAM concept:
"The team theme rules, even when the system promotes stars. I’m from Missouri, which means I’m a St. Louis Rams fan. A few years ago, the Rams were hot and won the Super Bowl with the greatest show on turf (lots of passing and individual stars: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, etc.). The next year they faced an upstart, underdog Patriots team in the early stages of the culture the Patriots have built. The game was getting ready to start, and I was watching the player introductions. The Rams went first, introducing the individual starters for their incredible offense one at a time. Next up, the Patriots started their introductions, and instead of shining the lights on their individual players for a little recognition and glory, they came out as a team and ran through the tunnel together.
I thought to myself, "That felt different."
Game over: The Patriots upset the Rams in the Super Bowl and it was the start of the New England dynasty. The Patriots still come out as a team to this day."
Love them or hate them, the Patriots are different. Not different like the Yankees, but different like in Jerry Maguire, when Jerry hugs Rod Tidwell in the tunnel after his breakout game.
Click over to the article at Workforce and check it out. It's Super Bowl prep for Talent Management types...
