In sports, teamwork isn’t a slogan; it’s survival. Whether it’s a defenseman threading a pass to the open forward or a midfielder laying the perfect ball into space, great teams operate in rhythm. Timing, trust, and anticipation keep the play alive.

Now, swap the jerseys for business suits, the court or pitch for your company’s ecosystem, and you’ll see the same truth: when alliance partners or colleagues run on their own timetables without regard for the collective cadence, the play falls apart.

I’ve seen it countless times, partners who promise delivery “soon” but never define “soon,” or co-workers who insist on their own clock, forcing others into a perpetual wait. That’s like a quarterback snapping the ball before the wide receiver is even out of the huddle. The result? Broken plays, lost yardage, and missed opportunities. To put it bluntly. It’s lost sales, revenue, and profits.

Cadence is Momentum

In sports, momentum comes from consistent execution. In business, cadence is the same—it’s the steady, predictable rhythm that moves projects from kickoff to completion. When one player breaks cadence—be it a late deliverable, unanswered email, or missed meeting—the entire team slows down. Growth stalls. Progress becomes start-and-stop instead of a smooth sprint.

The Value Creation Communication Model

This is where the Value Creation Communication model matters. It’s not just about talking more—it’s about communicating with purpose to keep everyone aligned on:

1 What needs to be done (shared goals)

2 When it needs to be done (agreed timelines)

3 Why it matters (impact on the bigger game)

In sports, that’s the huddle—quick, clear, and focused. In business, it’s proactive updates, transparent expectations, and delivering on commitments. Without it, you’re playing a pickup game where everyone runs their own playbook.

From “Me Time” to “Team Time”

Partnerships—internal and external—work best when everyone plays to a shared clock. Alliance partners who drag their feet not only delay deliverables; they erode trust. Colleagues who work in isolation create bottlenecks. And when trust and flow disappear, so does the competitive edge.

The fix? Treat time and communication like you would in a championship game: every pass, every move, and every second counts. Align on cadence early. Keep the rhythm. And remember—your win isn’t yours alone. It’s the team’s.

Because in both sports and business, no one hangs a banner for “Best Individual Effort in a Losing Game.”

In memory of one of my 4 main mentors, John Adams Gardner, High School All American, Notre Dame University Varsity QB, Sales Champion in broadcast sales, Sales Manager God, and a friend to the end. John taught me the keys to winning in sales, starting from the “teamwork model.” I always say, “you can’t put the letter I in the word TEAM”