Forget Perfection, Just Keep Improving

Volleyball is a relatively simple game. It consists of 5 elements. Serve, Pass, Set, Hit, Block. Every player only can touch the ball for a fraction of a second to influence the ball to try to score a point.

Even though it has simple rules it can create many strategies and experiences.

Better the Ball

One of the basic tenets of Volleyball is bettering the ball. It means that you are not trying to win the game with a single touch of the ball, but merely using that touch to put the next person in a better situation to do something with the ball.

If the opposition serves really well you might just get a hand to the ball and hit it in the air rather than pass a beautiful pass to the net for the setter.

The setter might have to run and put the ball in a place to be hit rather than a place for the hitter to score a point.

The hitter might have to just put the ball in a difficult position for the opposition team rather than making the crowd scream from the power of their swing.

All these moments are about working together to make life slightly better for the next person in the chain. Your individual brilliance helps but it’s about how your skills help your teammates be better.

Better Your Team

Your role as a leader isn’t to be better than everyone on your team. It is to put them in positions to succeed.

You are meant to better the ball for them so they can shine.

Making their life easier is using their strengths and protecting their weaknesses.

Communicating what is important and letting them decide how they get it done.

Lead by how you want them to act, with empathy, seeking to understand their position rather than winning the argument, being available when needed and considering that they might be right.

Are you bettering the ball in your environment?