The Characteristics of Champion TEAMS and PEOPLE

Growing up, I always wanted to WIN. Dreaming of winning THE Championship was a constant in my life, and I know many of you can relate. However, the truth is, I won very few championships and was part of even fewer championship teams. Achieving such success is challenging and often requires a bit of luck.

Let’s explore the characteristics that form the fabric of champions, both in teams and as individuals. Today, we will focus on what enables them to WIN…not only for themselves, but for their teams, divisions, departments, families, and communities.

To understand what creates champions, we must first define what a champion is:

A champion is someone who excels, overcomes obstacles, and uplifts others, whether through winning, personal growth, leadership, or driving change. This can manifest in sports, personal development, leadership, advocacy, business, or innovation.

"True champions aren't always the ones that win, but those with the most guts." — Mia Hamm

Based on my 30 years in leadership and my experiences on various teams, I have identified the top 15 characteristics of CHAMPIONS.

1. Relentless Work Ethic

   
   

   Champions consistently put in the effort, even when no one is watching. It's a choice, not just talent. You can feel the contagious energy of teammates with undeniable work ethic.

   
   

2. Unshakable Self-Belief

   
   

   Champions trust their abilities and maintain confidence through adversity. If we don't believe in ourselves, who will? It starts with us.

   
   

3. Resilience

   
   

   Champions bounce back from setbacks stronger and more determined. Building resilience is often achieved through connection, so find those you can share with.

   
   

4. Laser Focus

   
   

   Champions concentrate on their goals and eliminate distractions. Like bird dog training, they are committed to the task at hand and always find a way to achieve their objectives.

   
   

5. Discipline

   
   

   They stick to routines and standards that drive success. Champions will do whatever it takes to complete the mission without compromising their discipline.

   
   

6. Growth Mindset

   
   

   Champions embrace challenges and view failure as a learning opportunity. They actively seek feedback to improve and ask themselves, “How can I get better?”

   
   

7. Vision

   
   

   Champions have a clear picture of their goals and the path to achieve them. They break down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps.

   
   

8. Mental Toughness

   
   

   Champions remain composed under pressure and thrive in high-stakes situations. They maintain emotional stability, which empowers their teammates.

   
   

9. Consistency

   
   

   Success is not a one-time event; champions show up every day, delivering the same level of performance regardless of circumstances.

   
   

10. Preparation

    
    

    Champions prepare meticulously, leaving little to chance. Their preparation is both mental and physical, and they take pride in their readiness.

    
    

11. Adaptability

    
    

    Champions adjust quickly to changing circumstances. They understand that change is inevitable and embrace it, which ties into their resilience.

    
    

12. Accountability

    
    

    Champions take ownership of their actions and results…both good and bad. They are not afraid to be vulnerable and say, “That’s on me.”

    
    

13. Humility

    
    

    Champions stay grounded and open to feedback, regardless of their success. They recognize that true strength often lies in battles unseen.

    
    

14. Competitiveness

    
    

    Champions thrive on competition, using it to push themselves and their teams further. They harness the positive energy of a competitive spirit.

15. Purpose-Driven

    
    

    Champions align their actions with a deeper mission. They elevate their teams because their efforts are often not about themselves.

    
    

BE A CHAMPION FOR SOMEONE…someone is counting on it.

Personal Growth and Development

How can you apply these characteristics for your own growth? Use a Likert scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best and 1 being the worst, to grade yourself on each characteristic. Circle anything rated 3 or below.

Next, define these characteristics in your own words and create 1-5 action steps that will help you embody and drive these traits, both personally and within your team(s).

Action steps drive the definitions within you and/or your team. If the action step you create doesn't create the defintion, it's not good enough.