A new season of Ottawa Senators hockey is on the brink. It seems a lot different from last year with a new owner, GM, Coach, and a revamped Hockey Operations Department. The off season moves appear to be strategic, and thoughtful. They seem to be interested in rebuilding the relationships with the fan base and within the team. Relationships matter, they matter a lot. However, they need to be the right ones to make this team grow.
It seemed last year that everyone on the team were friends, and while it seems like that is a good thing it can also lead to poor performance and team chemistry. In a recent article written by Craig Ross about friendships in the workplace a number concerns were brought forward about friendships that are relatable to the Senators.
Teammates will only tell you what you want to hear, which means the shared reality won’t be what is best for the team and could cause a division. Your great player 72 just do what you do and you will be fine.
I won’t expose your faults to others, which translated means I won’t hold you accountable. That was a huge problem last year. Too many players made the same errors over and over and continued to play big minutes. DJ Smith seemed more interested in being the players friend rather than their Coach.
I will be loyal to you. Translation: We’ll make decisions based upon what is best for you rather than what is best for the team. You can be loyal to some one but if they are a true teammate they will know it is not personal, it is team centred.
When friendships on a team work it is because of the full focus and maximising of collective energy towards an objective it has requirements, which includes expanding relational capital.
What is Important here is that relational capital is not just two or more people who have high trust, respect and caring for one another. Oddly enough Craig Ross believes those qualities exist in low-performing teams.
What he believes the relational capital equals value. He believes that relational capital only occurs when colleagues have high trust, respect and caring that consistently creates greater value for the team.
The Hockey Operations team has brought players who have gone deep into the playoffs and have won Stanley Cups who understand the value of relational capital and how it relates to team success. Talking about is one thing, but actually doing it is another.
There will be a moment when the truth gets told. Will it drive a change of behaviours that improves the teams performance or will it revert to last years tire fire.
With this management group I am betting on an improved team performance.
Until next time.
Trust fuels confidence.
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