End of Term, Olympic Gold and the Power of Team

The End-of-Year Rush

It’s the end of the school year, and with it comes the familiar frenzy of activity: school trips, sports days, discos, and BBQs. Add to that the challenge of arranging childcare and managing the daily juggle, and it’s little wonder that parents and children alike are feeling the strain.

Among our team, the working parents are arriving each morning a little more tired than usual -grateful, as ever, for a hot cup of coffee to help them power through the day.

A Milestone for My Daughter

My daughter Eve has just completed her GCSEs, which has brought with it an extra flurry of celebrations. It’s been a season of parties, emotional goodbyes, and looking ahead to the exciting new chapter of college life.

One of the highlights that marked the end of this academic milestone was the school’s annual Speech Day. Eve’s school really does this event in style – an uplifting blend of reflection, celebration, and motivation.

And like every parent in the room, our eyes were on our child. We were incredibly proud as Eve received an award, a tangible recognition of all her hard work.

A Speech That Stuck with Me

But what came after the prize-giving truly stuck with me – and resonated far beyond the school hall. The guest speaker, Alex Danson MBE, delivered a talk that left the entire room inspired and reminded me, once again, of the immense power of team – a theme that’s been at the heart of my recent blogs.

From 11th Place to Olympic Gold

Alex Danson is best known as a key member of the Olympic gold-winning GB women’s hockey team. That unforgettable moment at the Rio 2016 Olympics captured the hearts of 10 million viewers. It was such a historic moment in women’s sport that even the 10 o’clock news was pushed back to accommodate it.

But just a year before that triumph, things looked very different. At the World Cup in The Hague, England finished 11th out of 12 teams – a disappointing result.

Alex painted a vivid picture of the Dutch team, eventual winners of that tournament, walking together around the stadium between matches – clearly a tight, unified, and formidable force.

The Turning Point

In the wake of England’s poor performance, changes were needed. The team waited in anticipation for a new coach, hoping for someone who could bring innovative tactics and physical training strategies. The appointment came as a surprise: a sports psychologist.

Initially, Alex – and many of her teammates – were skeptical. How could a psychologist help them win matches? But as it turned out, this was the turning point.

Over the next two years, under new leadership, the team poured their energy into building the strongest possible team culture. Their focus shifted from individual performance to collective strength.

A Clear Vision and Shared Values

The team developed a bold vision:

“Be the difference. Create history. Inspire the future.”

And a set of shared values:

“We are one team. Be alive. We are winners.”

They didn’t stop there. They translated these values into daily behaviours. Every week, they held a session called “Thinking Thursday” dedicated to finding a way to win and bringing their values to life.

Alex shared how these practices created a united team that knew exactly what they were striving for and why.

She firmly believes they won gold not because they were the most talented players, but because they were the best team.

Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork

Alex’s message was clear and powerful: success is built on excellence, endeavour, and boldness. It’s not enough to have talent, we must work harder than anyone else, uphold gold-standard behaviours, and remain laser-focused on a shared goal.

“The journey is everything. What matters most is not what we achieve, but who we achieve it with.” – Alex Danson MBE

When we get close to success, the temptation is to ease off. But that’s precisely the moment when we must go full steam ahead, pushing harder than ever.

Above all, she reminded us that ENDEAVOUR should be at the heart of everything we do.

Bringing It Back to Business

Whether in sport, education, or business, the lessons are the same: culture and behaviour define outcomes.

If we know our values and live them every day, if we work together as a tight-knit team, if we support each other and strive with purpose, we can achieve something remarkable.

So, as the school year winds down and we reflect on all that’s been achieved, I’ll leave you with this:

Ask Yourself:

• What is your vision?
• What are your values?
• How strong is your team?
• And… do you have what it takes to win?

“Success isn’t about being the best. It’s about being the best team.” – Alex Danson MBE

Every successful business starts with a clear vision and a strong team. Get in touch with James Todd & Co to find out how we can support your success.