In the U.S., the National Basketball Association is widely credited with creating a “bubble,” in which the players could live and play for a successful, safe season. And there are lessons from the bubble that apply to your company, according to the blog Atlassian.
Here are a few of the lessons and what they may mean for your company:
Having a superstar player is great for any basketball team, but it won’t be enough to win every game.
The lesson: If you manage a remote team, focus on creating a balanced and self-aware team. A balanced team is better than having a superstar unicorn.
No home court advantage means every game is the same. It’s indeed a whole new game not having a crowd to influence the calls, the noise, the referees.
The lesson: Not going to the office every day means company perks have changed, and will need to be adjusted for the future as companies try to stay ahead of the competitive field.
The game didn’t stop. It just changed. So now the players have to adapt to the new. And they’ll do that at different speeds.
The lesson: Understand your team and their ups and downs. No one planned for this working experience and everyone is learning on the fly. Experiment with new methods and rituals to work out what really works for you and your team.
The NBA created a way for people to cheer from outside the bubble and celebrate every shot. The virtual crowd shows up and cheers for every game.
The lesson: With the newly added distance to your team, celebrate even more. Share every small win. Applaud and cheer from afar. Every small victory helps and celebrating gets everyone happier, engaged, and it drives momentum. Try Zoom celebrations. Or just have a shared online meal and everyone order their favorite takeaway and chat.
Most teams have played the same way for a long time. They have big centers, quick guards, and every team now shoots more three-pointers. But a team like the Houston Rockets decided to play differently, no centers or “big men,” and every player a high percentage three-point shooter. It’s so different, it makes every other team play differently against them.
The lesson: When every team zigs, some teams prefer to zag. They stand out for good and for bad reasons. It’s important to look at other teams to understand what they’re doing and how they’re adapting to the new. But it’s also important to understand what works for your team. That’s ultimately more important than what other teams are doing.
Teams in the NBA Bubble went on strike because of the Jacob Blake shooting in the United States. Players couldn’t think of playing like it was a normal day. The circumstances were upsetting and overwhelming and they decided they needed to make a statement, to step back and reflect on what’s happening in the U.S.
The lesson: Know when to take a break from it all. It might be the news, personal health, family health, or whatever it is. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed and it’s the reality we live in now. Sometimes you may have to take a stand and recognize it’s time to stop.
“And here’s a bonus lesson that works for NBA teams and remote teams alike: When comparing apples to apples, the team that wins is the one with more energy.’