In this episode the author and founder of ‘The Changing the Game Project’ John O’Sullivan joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss being a champion teammate, what that actually means and how we as parents can support our children to fulfil this role.
During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:
- The importance of being a teammate in life, not just in sport
- How we all need to learn to connect, compete and lead
- Making the choice to be a ‘Champion Teammate’
- Recognising the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and those around you
- ‘What can I give’ as opposed to ‘what can I get’ in a society that promotes the latter
- The challenges of technology in developing key character traits in young people
- The importance of real connection and face to face conversations
- Positive team dynamics and creating environments for this to flourish
- Being the parent and the adult in the room particularly during times of adversity
John O’Sullivan is the Founder of the Changing the Game Project and Host of the Way of Champions Podcast. He is the author of three #1 Bestselling books on parenting, coaching and team culture, and consults with sporting organisations across the globe including US Soccer, USOPC, USA Swimming, US Ski and Snowboard, Ireland Rugby, Australian Rugby League, the PGA, and numerous other schools, clubs and sporting organisations. A former collegiate and professional soccer player and a coach for three decades, his work has been featured by CNN, Outside Magazine, the Boston Globe, and his 2014 TED talk on “Changing the Game in Youth Sports” been viewed nearly 500,000 times.
In The Champion Teammate, Jerry Lynch and John O’Sullivan share wisdom accrued from decades of consultation with well over 100 conference, national, and world championship teams and dozens of Hall of Fame coaches; interviews with hundreds of athletes, coaches, and leadership experts on their Way of Champions Podcast; and hundreds of workshops on being an exceptional teammate, leader, coach, and parent.
