They say it is easy to parent someone else’s kids. It’s not so easy to parent your own.

It’s a great privilege for me to be inside many of the most successful stations in the country throughout the year. One of my favorite sessions to do is what I call “Bring your Best” where we order Whataburgers and Yoo-hoos for the entire air staff and bring them together for one huge coaching session.

Sure, it’s a little awkward at first, (after all, no songwriter wants to hear you didn’t like his new song), but I’ve found it quickly transforms into a team of like-minded people working together on their craft. Frankly, some of the best times of our lives have been when we’re a part of a team effort for a singular purpose.

We often see that reflected in sports.

In my other life I do some announcing for the St. Louis Cardinals. These words from manager Mike Shildt caught my eye:

“They grow through other people’s experiences. It’s a very mature way of living. They’re smart about looking and studying the craft of others, so they can apply it when they go. That really accelerates your curve.”

Several years ago when Cardinals’ ace Adam Wainwright was coming back from injury I noticed that every other pitcher on the team was standing in the bullpen watching him warm up before a game. I had never seen that before. They knew that Adam’s ability to bounce back from injury was a difference maker for their pennant chances. They wanted to learn from him, and they wanted to show him their support.

So, who are the aces on your team? Who are the best talents in the format as a whole?

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Phil Jackson