Growing up and into my college years, I played hockey. Seventeen years of practices and games, wins and losses, tears and laughter. Hockey has been and always will be a cornerstone of my identity. As I’ve entered my adult years, I’ve transitioned to becoming a coach, retaining my connection to the sport. The more engrossed in the atmosphere, the more similarities I see between the coaching side of hockey and the world of human resources, and the more I understand how a hockey team and a workplace team are far from different.
Fostering Connection and Trust
One thing I learned very early on as a coach is how to navigate different personalities and find a way to bring them all together. For players to buy into your philosophy, you must find ways to connect with them and build trust between the coaches and the team. As coaches, we are a catalyst for connection. Having players feel comfortable in their environment is a vital stepping-stone for a successful team. Additionally, it is essential to create a space where players know it is okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are unavoidable, and no player is perfect. If players are afraid to make mistakes, it will not only lead to more mistakes being made, but it will also stunt their development.
Much like coaching, it is imperative that an HR representative connects with employees and provides them with a safe space to flesh out any concerns. It is key that employees are content with the flow of their work and eager to take on challenges without fear of admonishment, which allows for a more successful workplace.
Celebrating Wins
Showing your players that their hard work has paid off is an important part of coaching. As coaches, we show our players gratitude and celebrate their successes. Wins don’t have to be just winning a game; they can be other small milestones, such as standout plays, a player improving upon a new skill, or a goalie making an incredible save. A reward can be as simple as recognition in front of the team or a player receiving a game puck as a token of remembrance for their hard work.
The workplace offers an opportunity to do something similar. By celebrating employees’ successes, big or small, we create a positive environment and show our appreciation for dedication. HR can create the perfect atmosphere for constant growth and intrinsic motivation for their employees.
Culture, Culture, Culture!
The most important thing to have on a team is a cohesive, positive culture. Players should all willingly be on the same page for the best chance of success. A team could have the most talented group of individual players in the world, but if there isn’t a cohesive team culture, success will be out of reach. A positive, team-focused culture must be cultivated from the beginning. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure everyone understands our goals and how we can achieve them. No matter the amount of talent, success will be hard to come by if there is internal team conflict. Maintaining a positive culture focused on team growth and perseverance is critical in a successful team, and having ways to solve conflict is pivotal for the ebbs and flows of the season.
Workplace culture is no different. Creating an atmosphere where everyone understands a common goal, knows their role, and is committed to performing their best is essential. Fostering a work environment where employees feel excited to come to work, collaborate towards shared objectives, and feel comfortable asking questions or seeking help is a vital component of HR and workplace culture.
Everything is a Journey
It may seem like once you tell your players something, they’ll go ahead and fix it right away. However, that is not the case, and that is just not realistic. It’s important to recognize that change doesn’t happen overnight. Where you are from the beginning to the end is a drastic change, but it can be hard to recognize change as it is occurring. Teams evolve slowly and learn things over time. Knowing that the development process occurs over time is an important part of building patience as a coach. It is always gratifying to look back on where your team started once you’ve reached the end of a season. Remaining good-natured towards players increases the level of success a team can end up achieving.
As with HR, we cannot expect employees to adhere to changes without pushback or struggle. Some may find new things difficult, and others may not like change to begin with. We must grant employees grace and understanding, as well as the tools necessary to be successful in new ways of doing things. Being patient and considerate while providing guidance will only aid in employee and team growth.
Game Winning Goal
In both hockey and human resources, the key to success lies in fostering connection, celebrating wins, building a positive culture, and embracing the journey of growth. As a coach, I’ve learned that these principles apply to both the ice and the workplace. Whether leading a team of players or guiding employees, it’s about cultivating trust, providing a supportive environment, and recognizing that progress takes time. Just as a hockey team evolves over a season, a workplace thrives when individuals are encouraged to grow, take risks, and collaborate toward shared goals. By applying the lessons learned from hockey, we can build stronger, more successful teams in the workplace—driven by a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect.