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Are They Playing to Win or Playing to Not Lose?

In this assessment, I'll walk you through real-world scenarios to discover if your team is playing to win or playing to not lose. This is the difference between a good team and a Championship Team.

Step 1: Find out where your team lands on the Play to Win Scale

When taking the assessment, think of a small group of leaders on your team and choose how they typically respond.

Step 2: Understand what this means for your team's big goals

At the end, you'll get a percentage that will tell you how close your team is to playing to its full potential. 

Step 3: Understand why it happens & what to do about it (without needing a Counseling degree)

Your team's next level is on its way. Jump on in!

Start

Question 1 of 12

Your team started off strong, but now the momentum has completely shifted and there isn't much time left. As a result, they tend to:

A

Worry they're about to lose and try too hard, making uncharacteristic mistakes.

B

Regroup and remind themselves that they’ve got this.

Question 2 of 12

Someone just made a mistake that cost the team big time. In response, they tend to:

A

Reassure each other they’ve got their back and focus on the next play.

B

Overcorrect — rushing and trying to make up for the mistake.

Question 3 of 12

Your team comes out flat or falls behind early. From there, your team tends to:

A

Try to fix it all at once — forcing big plays instead of letting the game settle.

B

Stay composed, stick to the game plan, and let the score catch up to the process.

Question 4 of 12

You call the team out during a time out for lack of focus. When they go back to compete, your athletes tend to:

A

Go quiet, pull back from teammates, and are even less focused.

B

Talk even more amongst each other and re-focus on the task.

Question 5 of 12

The team has had a run of disappointing outcomes. Heading into the next competition, your team tends to:

A

Lean on each other, keep communicating, and attack it like it's a brand new day.

B

Show up quieter and more withdrawn than usual: less communication & weaker presence.

Question 6 of 12

There's a hard conversation the team needs to have about attitudes. Your team tends to:

A

Avoid it, only talk about it in small groups, or let it pass without addressing it directly.

B

Have the conversation directly with the person, even though it's uncomfortable

Question 7 of 12

It's the final moments of a close competition, and the outcome is still in question. Your team's execution tends to:

A

Stay loose and instinctive — reacting the way they do in any other moment

B

Get noticeably tighter — hesitation, overthinking, more mechanical movement

Question 8 of 12

Think of a skill they've practiced a thousand times. When the pressure is on your team tends to:

A

Get stiff and slow, like they're thinking instead of reacting.

B

Execute it the same as they do in practice.

Question 9 of 12

They're coming off a rough performance but they have another competition very soon. In that next opportunity, your team tends to:

A

Overthink the fundamentals, looking mechanical, and second-guessing the basics.

B

Trust their training and approach the next one the same way they normally would.

Question 10 of 12

Someone isn't meeting the standard (effort, execution, or accountability) and it's affecting the group. Your team tends to:

A

Let it slide to avoid tension, or say something soft enough that nothing really changes.

B

Address it directly and hold the standard, even if it's uncomfortable.

Question 11 of 12

You have to make a lineup move you know won't sit well with everyone. How do you expect they'll receive it?

A

Even if they're not happy with it, they step up and play their role.

B

The unhappy ones sulk and the others stay away from them.

Question 12 of 12

One athlete's error costs the team. How are their teammates more like to respond?

A

Avoid eye contact and not say anything that might upset the person.

B

Look them in the eye and say, "You're good. We've got your back."

Confirm and Submit