Last weekend, Novak Djovokic won the Australian Open for the third time in a row. He became the first man to do this in a really, really long time. Some of you would remember that I did a post on his second Australian Open victory this time last year. I was struck by what his opponent, Andy Murray, said after the match.
He said
“Firstly congratulations to Novak. He is a very well deserved champion. Few people have managed to do what he has done. Well done to his team as well. You can’t do these things alone and I know they have been with him for a long time. I want to thank my team as well, they have done a great job with me. I also want to thank the crowd, there is a great atmosphere here and you are very fair.” via BCC sports
I spent the early part of last week pondering a quote by Jo Owen that “leadership is a team sport”. It was therefore interesting when I came across Murray’s speech at the Australian Open which demonstrates that winning is also a team sport even in individual sports. I would say that life is a team sport as well. There is the saying that “no man is an island”. Every individual has received some help and support on the way to success. There are always people in the background making sacrifices for leaders and winners to succeed. Sometimes we see them and sometimes we don’t.
At the Australian Open, both players’ key team members were there – coaches, family and friends. I am sure there are lots of other people critical to both Djokovic and Murray’s successes who were not in Australia and not as visible as those on TV last Sunday. Their invisibility does not diminish their influence and impact on these men’s road to glory.
Everyone needs a good team in order to lead, win and succeed because you can’t possibly do everything on your own.
