A couple of years ago I became curious about what it took for a professional basketball team to become repeat champions. I researched professional basketball champions over the last thirty years to find out what characteristics it took to make a repeat champion.
I discovered from my research that teams who won multiple championships had players and coaches that understood their position on the team. Each player knew what his main responsibility and role was in making their team champions. They made a commitment as a unified team that everyone was going to play his position at a high level every game.
They decided to put the team above the individual. This took major dedication from each player to give up his personal success for the team. This kind of dedication and commitment took a major adjustment in their thinking. For some players it took a transformation in how they approached and played each game. The players from repeat championship teams understood that when the team wins everyone wins.
I learned from my study of these multiple championship teams that there were seven key positions (point guard, shooting guard, power forward, small forward, center, sixth man and coach) that must be performed with excellence in every game.
The more I studied these teams the more I became enamored with their approach to winning. What I loved about these teams is that not one player got outside of their position of purpose. If he did, he was quickly reminded that their ultimate mission was to win a championship.
Each player over time learned to play within his purpose on the team. In other words the point guard didn’t try to be the center nor did the center try to do what the point guard was purposed to do.
When everyone knows and understands their position and performs it at their best, they can achieve great results. The results for these basketball teams were championships. They became great teams that will always be labeled as great champions.
I have learned that if I focus on my purpose and live according to the way God has designed me, then I can achieve success His way. My purpose is not just about me, but it is for everyone that God has connected to me.
After studying the key positions on repeat basketball championship teams, I have realized seven positions for living your purpose with power. I matched the seven key positions of a repeat championship basketball team with seven positions of purpose and here are my results.
1. Coach – Communicates the organization’s vision to the team. You must effectively communicate your purpose to those that are connected to you through verbal and nonverbal actions.
2. Point Guard– Concentrates on leading the team on the court. You must remain concentrated (focused) so that you direct your thoughts, attention and actions towards your desired purpose.
3. Shooting Guard –Consistently needs to hit key shots. You must be consistent by having a reliable, dependable and coherent approach to daily living that aligns yourself with your purpose.
4. Power Forward – Courage to be the physical player that gives up his body. You must have courage to stand when everyone else wants to run and to act when everyone is paralyzed by fear.
5. Small Forward – Confidence to guard the opponent’s best player. You must have the confidence and reliance in your abilities and gifts to accomplish your purpose.
6. Center – Character to be the strong force in the middle. Your character is who you are when no one is looking and what you are willing to stand for when everyone is looking.
7. 6th Man – Commitment to coming off the bench. You must make a commitment between your heart, mind and emotions that moves you on a direct course of action in pursuing your purpose.
I know that there are more positions to your purpose, but I believe that these seven are vitally important in fulfilling your God given purpose. If you apply these seven positions of purpose to your daily life, you will see your purpose prosper and your life excel.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Question: What are you willing to sacrifice or give up to live your purpose? Leave a comment below.
Dan Black says
What a great illustration and powerful points. It shows no matter what team you lead that people have different roles and functions. Only if you could have shared some of these point with the Green Bay Packers, maybe some day:)
Bernard Haynes says
I will call the Packers front office and ask can share these points with the team. Maybe if I do a good job they will give me some tickets to a game. I will invite you. These points are making an impact in my life as I apply them on a daily basis.
Lincoln Parks says
Bernard, sounds like my Chicago Bulls and soon to be Philadelphia Eagles. I love how you tied these points together in a sports context. Leadership is so vast and can be tackled from so many angles. To live my purpose to bring lives to Christ, i would definitely sacrifice.
Bernard Haynes says
The Bulls were one of the teams. Hopeful wishing on the Eagles. They have a long way to go. We need more leaders like you. You have some good stuff on your site. Keep doing what you do.
Lincoln Parks says
Thanks Bernard, the guest post you did on Dan’s blog was awesome. Keep up the awesome work you are doing.
Pamela Martin says
Great insight for me! I love it!!!
bernard says
Thanks Pam. I really appreciate your suppor. God is positioning you to do a great work. Keep your eyes focused on your prize.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Pam for your support.
TC Avey says
Awesome illustration!
Loren Pinilis says
When we know our strengths and weaknesses, then we can see our role on the team. That’s when winning happens. Great metaphor, Bernard!
Brendal Davis says
Success is a team sport and we need all of these positions of purpose in order to succeed at impacting those within our sphere of influence and in order for us to live a life of success with excellence – an abundant life.
Love and blessings
Bernard Haynes says
Brendal, thanks for commenting. You are correct, success is a team sport.
betty-wiseheartedwomen.blogspo says
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Love this quote.
Before we went overseas the first time we were at a camp where we met an older man who was retired from a well known mission organization. After listening to our excitement at being accepted to New Tribes he said, I will give you one strike because of the age of your children by the time you get to the field. He gave us another strike because of our age, we were in our middle 40’s and then he said, I am going to give you a half strike because of the mission board you are going with. By this time I am mad and about ready to cry so I excused myself. later my husband found me and said, lets just give ourselves that last half strike and then we will strike out. Which meant God must be the one getting us to the field. He did, in fact we have served in two countries and now serve in a Member Care role for our mission. We chose to stand in the face of this discouragement and watch God work. Of course we faced other discouragements but that one started us out exactly where God wanted us, depending on Him. God was our Coach, Jesus was our point guard, the Holy spirit was our shooting guard and those three gave us courage, confidence which allowed God to fine tune us to His character. Our part was the 6th man, we made the commitment to follow where ever He lead, and never been sorry. Love this post brother, so many points that when put into action will move us in what ever direction God leads.
Bernard Haynes says
Wow. This was a powerful response. What a great story to overcome discouragement and pursue your purpose through the pressure. Thanks for the encouragement that you gave me. God will work through us no matter how tight the situation when we take action on what He says. A lot of times we let fear trump faith.
TCAvey says
What a fun and enlightening post!
This sentence is powerful, “They decided to put the team above the individual”
What would the Body of Christ look like if more people operated from this standpoint?
All your points were excellent, but number 7 really hit home. A commitment between heart, mind and emotions. It takes it all. We can’t hold anything back. We must be fully committed.
Great post!