CareerEngineering Lessons From Football: Scoring Goals in the Game of Collaboration

In the thrilling arena of football, individual prowess—whether as a skilled striker, a stalwart defender, or an agile goalkeeper—often falls short in securing victory for the team. Even the eminence of icons like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo does not guarantee the pinnacle of success or the hoisting of numerous trophies. True triumph emerges when one masters the art of being a team player.

A genuine team player isn't merely self-proclaimed; they are the individuals others admire, exclaiming, 'Wow, working alongside that person is an absolute delight!'. Frequently, 'that person' isn't the most intellectually brilliant in the room; however, they possess a wealth of knowledge and aren't oblivious to their limitations.

Below, I outline some lessons from football that have helped me and continue to guide me in my daily journey to becoming an excellent engineer but more importantly an amazing team player.

Pass the Ball

This phrase is often heard when a player is holding onto the ball for too long instead of passing it to an open teammate who could potentially score.

In an engineering team, collaboration is akin to passing the ball. It involves sharing ideas and knowledge, within the team to achieve a common goal. A team player shares knowledge that could help a solution be better even though they aren’t the implementor of the solution or may never get the glory. They understand that just like assists in football are as valuable as goals, support, and guidance among team members hold equal importance to the end result – a successfully delivered project or solution.

Similarly to fans not fixating on who scores as long as the team wins, an engineering team thrives when individuals prioritize collective success over individual accolades.

Acknowledge the Assist

Alisson Becker, the goalkeeper of Liverpool made a match-winning assist to Mo Salah in a game against a rival club, and the defenders ran to him to celebrate.

It was a totally beautiful sight and one that we can take a lesson from.

An assist is as important as the goal, and as team players, we should make it a point of duty to acknowledge this fact. When a project reaches success or a solution proves effective, it's essential to openly acknowledge the support you received. Avoid the temptation to claim sole credit; instead, make it a habit to give credit where it's due. Failing to do so might result in colleagues being reluctant to collaborate, as hogging the limelight could make you appear self-centered and diminish teamwork.

Be Mr. Reliable

Being recognized as 'Mr. Reliable' is a testament to a player’s ability to deliver exceptional performances and fulfill their obligations consistently on the field.

Reliability is an indispensable trait in any team setting. Just as a striker shouldn't be burdened with defensive duties due to a lack of trust in the defenders, an engineer aiming to embody true teamwork must view unreliability as unacceptable.

When you epitomize reliability, collaboration becomes sought after because your commitment to delivering results is unwavering. Your reputation precedes you, showcasing an unwavering dedication to maintaining your end of the bargain. You excel in your role, consistently delivering high-quality output without excuses. Your continuous improvement efforts ensure that your work not only meets but exceeds expectations, sparing fellow developers from laborious code reviews and numerous change requests. In essence, your reliability is synonymous with excellence, setting a standard for dependable performance.

Play the Ball, Not the Man

When players find themselves on opposing sides, the desire to seize control can sometimes lead them to overly aggressive tactics, even resorting to tackling a player and risking injury just to gain possession of the ball. Such actions often result in fouls and penalties, detrimental outcomes for the team as a whole.

In our case, this dynamic parallels teammates holding conflicting viewpoints. The critical distinction to recognize in these situations is that it's a clash of ideas, not personalities. Understanding this distinction enables us to channel our efforts into addressing the conflicting arguments rather than targeting individuals. By focusing on attacking the argument itself rather than the person, we cultivate an environment conducive to constructive communication.

Always be open to convince or get convinced!

Conclusion

Occasionally, the path from being good to exceptional lies in merging proficiency as a developer with prowess as a collaborator. Transitioning into a team player can only enhance your abilities, never hinder them. I encourage you to incorporate this valuable skill into your repertoire.

In summary, football offers fascinating insights, and I recommend taking the time to watch a game sometime! 😃