Joe Guilmet Manager US Hockey Team Olympic Success Story

Joe Guilmet Equipment Manager US Hockey Team Olympic Success Story

Joe Guilmet started playing hockey as a young child and played with all his heart until he was 20 years old.  At that point, he knew he wasn't good enough to go pro, but had a burning passion for the sport and believed anything was possible.  He had a pipe dream of representing USA on the hockey team from a very young age.  He held on to that dream even though he didn't know how it could be possible.

At 15 years of age, Joe was curious about supporting or managing hockey teams.  He had the personality and intellectual gifts for it.  Joe met Don Waddell (current general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes) at that point in his life.  Don got to know Joe and came to believe in him and groom and mentor him for this role.  It helped a lot that Joe volunteered support as a player and also begged and pleaded in a nice way for Don's support.  You get what you focus on, work towards and ask for.

An equipment manager position opened up for the Atlanta Thrashers professional hockey team, and through his passion, hard work, persistence, attention to detail and dedication, he not only got the job but thrived.  In 2011 he lost his dream job in Atlanta.  This job defined him and was a huge setback.  This is the times where we grow the most.  He knew that more opportunity would come if he stayed true to his integrity, connections and treated people well.  His lesson was to never be complacent again.  He was hungry and ready for a new challenge.

He took a big risk with the Arizona State hockey team startup.  He learned a lot, worked with lower level athletes and his wife was a tremendous support ... "a rock".  He got the opportunity for diverse coaching and helping these kids become good young men.

Another great story Joe shared was when he worked with the World Junior Championships US team (18-20).  They started with a team set up by millionaires and they ended up not being a tight group and didn't win.  In 2017, the team was not jaded by business or money.  They were 100% dedicated to hockey.  They would say things like "we will walk together forever" and "no daylight between us".  They brought in a crazy Navy Seal, Sean Matson as a consultant and the team did intensive team-building exercises, ate together, worked together and grew to a mature tight team together and won.

In some of the team-building, the exercises were designed to break the kids down in a sense.  They were asked powerful and vulnerable questions like "what was an amazing time in your life?"  "why hockey"  "what was the worst moment in your life?"  ... these made the kids humble and bonded closer together.  They felt safer and could let their egos go after these uncomfortable layers were pulled back, creating equals with good character from egotistical superstars.  Then they were able to create and focus on team goals, roles, communication and training.

Years later an opportunity to help the Olympic team opened up as equipment manager.  Only two people were considered good enough and eligible for the job and both were elder statesmen with amazing credentials.  Joe brought something unique to the interview.  He was young, hungry, full of optimism with a positive attitude, endurance, energy and most importantly, a belief that anything is possible!  He got the job.

He learned a lot with his previous job and took on an even higher level of dedication with the Olympic team.  When I asked him his keys to success, I was very impressed.  His secrets came down to complete dedication to the team, being proactive and preparing well in meeting their equipment, emotional and energetic needs.  He gave up a strong career, money and stability for this position, so his reward was doing an amazing job over and above expectations.  There were many times he worked 20 hour days.

At orientation camp, they started with 43 guys and had to narrow it down to the final 23 on the real team.  The pressure on everyone was palpable.  His mantra was to include everyone on the team, even if they weren't on the line-up or roster.  It's this type of attitude that creates a strong winning team.  He was sure to value everyone, communicate well, and compassionately listen.  He also went the extra mile to be sure to be even more positive when times are tough or the team is grumpy, tired or lost the day before.

His focus was to set up the coaches and team to focus on their expertise ... playing hockey and specifically, their position on the team.  It was his job to make sure they had no worries other than that, it was all taken care of.  The team could rest well knowing that every piece of equipment they needed to do their part would be clean, pressed, organized, shipped, sharpened, repaired, replaced and so on ...

[article_box image="" title="Joe's Success Formula" link="" target="_blank"]POSITIVE ATTITUDE + WORK ETHIC + INTEGRITY [/article_box]

 

I asked Joe how he dealt with fear.  His response was the same as his success formula:  prepare every detail ... skates sharpened, shoelaces intact, everything clean ... and have good music in the locker room!  Have pre-game traditions like having everyone wear a suit and tie to create the power psychological shift.

What about self-care?  He would take cat-naps on the trainer table, good diet, stay in shape, get away for an hour on game day, spend quality time with his family.  It's all important and we must take care of ourselves in a balanced way to serve others well.

What makes the best leadership in a coach?  1)  push each member to his or her full potential  2)  push in different ways for each person and 3)  the coach has to be able to observe body language in hockey, when this occurs, the players are an open book, even without words.

Many of Joe's success tips apply to sports, family or work relationships.  Team is like a savings account.  We must give first, add value, build trust BEFORE asking for something.  Build equity in others.  The same applies in business - people work with others that they have come to know, like and trust.  Give first.

If you enjoyed this article and want to see more inspirational life and small business marketing lessons, please check out my book:  Gold Medal Business Marketing.