Team Culture

The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has showcased the various types of personalities which make up every team. While the media and fans argue over who is the better player, or which team is the “better model for sports culture”, I have noticed that no one is advising younger players as to what to expect in regards to team chemistry. 

When I watch NCAA Women’s Basketball, I see that there are many personalities which make up a team. While the outside world can chirp and argue, the members of the team have to find a way to stay united and succeed. 

We can’t have all five starters on Iowa’s team be Caitlin Clark clones. Nor can we have everyone play like JuJu Watkins, or Angel Reese. Every single team who is playing in the Elite 8 has a core set of players who have bought into the team’s vision and are finding ways to work together to achieve it. 

Playing a sport is difficult. Being a teammate is difficult. You are always going to have teammates who you love and teammates that you would love to see play somewhere else. I am sure you have even had people comment negatively about one of your teammates; how they play, their demeanor, their behavior, or even their attitude. Oftentimes, outside opinions can become contagious and begin to seep into your team’s culture, further fueling your own frustrations with teammates. 

Accept that some teammates will just be a challenge for you.

This is true and accurate for every type of athletic personality, not just the “non-controversial.” The so-called “controversial” players have to also tolerate teammates that are not like them. 

When you watch higher level teams play, begin asking yourself, how would I like to play with this individual? I also challenge you to find good qualities as to why it would be beneficial to be a teammate of an individual that you normally would not consider wanting to be their teammate. How would you be the best teammate for this individual to foster overall team success? 

How do you deal with teammates who are a challenge to you?

I always remind players that they should never expect everyone to be like them. Everyone is unique and approaches their sport in different ways. What works for them may not work for others. Having too many similar player personalities, for me, would most likely produce a boring one dimensional team who are unwilling to be challenged. Remember, growth is usually uncomfortable and challenging.

The following are recommendations for athletes to navigate the ever challenging world of team chemistry:

• You should not only know–but also understand what your overall team vision is. Your coach should have communicated with your team what is expected: your team’s purpose, ambitions, rules, and behaviors that allow your team to pursue your greatest ambitions. This is the foundation of your team. Every member of your team should be aware of this vision and on board with this vision. When the overall vision is not shared, the foundational walls begin to show signs of cracking. It is then where you have to meet with your captains or the coach to repair and fix the problems before they become too severe.

• Accept others for who they are. How teammates pursue the team vision varies from one athlete to another. Do not insist that it has to match your style. Remember, you are looking for what is beneficial for the overall common good of your team. Every athlete must have an individual identity and role within the team vision. How they approach the vision may be different than your own. What matters is that they believe in the foundational structure of the team vision and that they share in the team’s best interest.  

• SET YOUR BOUNDARIES. Know the lines that you will not cross as an athlete and hold firm with them. Never compromise your integrity. Never place yourself in situations that you feel are toxic. Never cheat. Never tolerate bullying. Never tolerate manipulation.  Do not tolerate anyone not allowing you to be your real self. Do not be afraid to communicate any of this with your captains or coaches. Speak up for yourself. Never be afraid for your voice to be heard.

• Know when to let things go. There will always be teammates who annoy you. There will be days when what frustrates you seems more intense and harder to deal with than others. Remember, there is always a difference between “annoying” and “destructive” as well as “frustrating” and “toxic.” Teams spend so much time with one another that feuds and drama will always happen in some way, shape, or form. Try to let it go for 24 hours–if it is still persistent, then move forward with how to handle it. Remember, you do not have to be friends with everyone on the team–but you need to respect them and treat them well both on and off the court/field etc. Always remember, that anyone can change for the better. Do not hold grudges with teammates. Allow for possible growth rather than being continuously closed off. (Yet, always set your boundaries!) 

• Set team boundaries. Never talk trash about your teammates outside of your team especially to players on other programs. It is one thing to vent to a close trusted friend or mentor, it is an entirely different thing to bash a teammate. This also includes what you say to your other teammates. Always understand what your intent is. Is your intent to solve a problem or just complain and bash? If it is the latter, then you are also facilitating issues that will further crack your team's foundation.

• Learn to see the good in others. Challenge yourself to find the positive reasons that your “challenging” teammate is a valuable member of your team. Try to view things from your coach’s perspective. Learn to understand the value of your teammate and how they are a key to achieving your team’s greatest success. Focus on the good.