The Selfless Teammate

How much do our own teammates actually care about each other?

February 08, 2022

The Winter Olympics are underway — and while there will undoubtedly be moments of grit and resilience in the days ahead, there’s one particular instance of Team USA sacrifice that we as leaders can draw from.

During speed skating qualifying trials for the 500-meter race in Milwaukee in January, American Erin Jackson — the top-ranked skater — slipped and came in a disappointing third place, all but ending her Olympic dreams in the event.

But her teammate and winner Brittany Bowe decided to step forward and offer her qualifying spot instead. Now, Jackson will race in the 500 in Beijing this coming Sunday while Bowe will be on the sidelines.

“Erin has earned her right to be on this 500-meter team," Bowe told NBC. "She is ranked No. 1 in the world, and no one is more deserving than her to get an opportunity to bring Team USA home a medal."

Bowe is still racing in Beijing in the 1000- and 1500-meter competitions, but surrendering her spot in the 500-meter race took sacrifice, maturity and great perspective.

“You can bet I'll be the loudest voice in the oval cheering for her in the 1000 and 1500 next month," Jackson tweeted in January.

It’s easy to look at Jackson and Bowe and say “They get it” and bemoan why our team members do not, but it seems undeniable that they have been raised in a U.S. speed skating culture that promotes cohesion and sacrifice.

The gesture and camaraderie between the two begs some key questions of us as leaders:

  1. How much do our own team members actually care about each other?

  2. Have we fostered a culture where this type of sacrifice would be the norm?

  3. How can we better unite our individual members so that they’re cheering for, not competing against, each other?

It’s important to remember that sacrifice and teamwork are admirable goals and pivotal to success, but very rarely are they innate values ingrained in our organizations.

It’s our duty as leaders to promote these and formulate strategies to improve the camaraderie between our individual members — long before they’re ever down on the ice.