By Marc Sibbald – Director IPWEA FLEET
What can we learn about teamwork from the Matilda's?
Many organisations use successful sporting teams as analogies when talking about culture and performance. Watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup during July and August has caused me to reflect on the dynamics of a team and what makes a team rise to highest level against the odds.
There have been many examples during the World Cup of nations with little, or no financial support punching above their weight. For me, a great example of leadership and team resilience is the Matilda’s.
On the eve of the tournament they lost Sam Kerr, considered one of the greatest players in the world; had an ordinary first game against Ireland; and then lost to Nigeria.
How did the players, coaching staff and back office staff remain focused on the goal? What about the fans and the player’s families? As a long term supporter of the Matilda’s I wasn’t concerned. Why? Because I knew the coach had a long term strategy that allowed for these interruptions. And the players and staff knew the plan as well which is built around a war cry that united the country - Till it’s DONE!
This is the lesson Fleet Managers should take from the Matilda’s and other successful teams. Have a long term strategic plan for your fleet and make sure fleet staff, operators/drivers, line managers, the executive and the community know and understand the goal.
IPWEA Fleet recommends every organisation develops a Fleet Asset Management Plan (FAMP). This document will align to the objectives of the organisation and guide fleet decisions and activities over a five year period.
The other thing that makes sporting teams successful is capability. They train and practice more than they play. However in the work place, we tend to grind ourselves down with operational tasks when we should be taking the time to build the capability of ourselves and our team.
Developing the capability of the fleet community (managers, coordinators, supervisors, team leaders, officers) is a core goal of IPWEA Fleet. The team and myself are focused on developing the capability of people working in fleet management through education, networking and resources.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the FIFA Women’s World Cup as much as I have. It’s been a great opportunity to the see some of the best football players in the world, and gain insights into the methods of high performance teams that can be applied by everyone, everyday (even Fleet Managers).