What a TV Antenna Can Teach You About Team Building
This one comes from the NBA
A few days ago, the Phoenix Suns basketball team owner, Mat Ishbia, made headlines within the Suns community.
Ishbia announced that he wanted to give everyone access to view the Suns games, so if any fan did not have access to see the games, he would send them a TV antennae so they could watch.
The Suns organization struck a deal with Gray Television (channel 3 in AZ). This channel will be the home for Suns games so that local viewers can watch the games for free; however, newer TVs don’t pick up local channels, so an antenna is needed.
Fans needing an antennae can sign up here.
This move by Ishbia to include and reach more people is what building a team is all about.
Include Everyone
Someone at the Suns organization is paying attention. They understand that their fans live all over the state, and some may not have access to watch the games. They figured out a way to help bridge the gap and make their games more accessible to fans.
Create a Positive Buzz
Whether you need an antenna or not, how can you not get behind this story? For once, an owner is thinking about their entire fan base. They’re not just talking about it; they’re doing something about it - because they can.
Too often, we hear sentiments like, “It’s too bad only people who pay for this one cable service can watch the games. But, oh well, that’s how it is.”
Ishbia decided to act.
And whatever money it’s costing the organization is money well spent.
No matter what kind of team we lead, we can learn from the Suns.
Include everyone on your team. Provide equal access to everyone. Give people the opportunity to be involved, and they will step up.
Meet. People. Where. They. Are.
You have no idea what they’re capable of until you open the door for them.
MAILBOX
This lovely note popped up in my inbox recently.
“Hi Kit! Just wanted to reach out and say thanks for your great content and all the encouragement you post for retail leaders. I managed to land a job in a new field related to my degree and am about to have my first non-retail holiday season in over a decade, and reading posts like yours about how many wonderful skills retail leaders have gave me so much confidence to go for something new and speak up about my skills during the interview process.”
Damn. Wow. I’m so thrilled this person found a new confidence in their skill set based on what I write.
Sometimes, you forget how awesome you are when you get really good at something.
Remember how valuable your skill set is. Celebrate it.
LEVEL UP
One thing you can do today to be a better leader.
Invite someone to learn something new.
Is there someone on your team who has been there for a while and may be ready to learn something new?
Teach them a new skill. Partner them with a newer person so they can train. Show them how to stock or merchandise.
Sometimes, we get so stuck in our ways we forget about newer team members who could be ready to learn something new. Now is the time to reach out. Pretty soon, you’ll be hiring seasonal people and writing all your holiday schedules, so do it now.
Get Your Guide
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#1 New Release in Leadership Training!
The Retail Leader's Field Guide, is helping leaders everywhere. 🤓
This is the how-to handbook you wish your company had given you.
I spill all my best practices for running productive, cohesive teams.
Get hours back in your week
Empower others
Further your career.
Find Your People
Do you lead teams in a frontline environment? Do you wish you had access to a group of your peers? A place where you could ask questions, be yourself, and take a breath for five minutes?
Now, you do!
Join us in The Break Room, a safe space for leaders.
Come as you are, ask questions, connect, give, and get advice. This is your space. Take five and vibe. Leave feeling refreshed.
Go to The Break Room.
Thank you for being here. If you dig my writing, please share this email.
Click the 🖤 so more people can discover this on Substack.
You're the absolute best.
A great and unusual example of a corporation actually practicing inclusion! Good works are out there in the world and yours is one of them!!
You're helping so much people with these posts. Keep writing Kit, you rock!