The Power of Resilience in Embracing Your Role on a Team

Drew Brees recently shared a powerful message at our annual golf tournament about the importance of being part of a team. He said,

“One of the greatest opportunities we all have in life is to be a part of a team… Everybody has a role on that team, and everybody’s role is just as important as the next person. Even though there’s times where you may not have the role that you want, be the best at where you are at that moment and focus on being the best teammate that you can be.”

His words sparked a conversation on our podcast about the difference between accepting a role and settling for a role.

When you accept your role, you commit to giving everything you have to it. You contribute in the way your team needs you to, bringing energy, effort, and a willingness to lift those around you. But that doesn’t mean you settle. You can still work to grow, improve, and position yourself for the role you ultimately want. Success doesn’t come from complaining or pouting your way into a better spot—it comes from performing your way into it. That approach builds resilience.

Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl put it well when he said that great coaches put players in positions to be successful. When athletes buy into their roles, they gain confidence and perform at their best. He highlighted one of his players, Tahaad Pettiford, who despite not starting a game, never complained—neither did his family—because he was raised to embrace his role and work hard. Pearl reinforced the importance of resilience when he said,

“There are still great stories about kids that want to be coached, they want to be held accountable… If they behave selfishly or in a way that God’s not gonna bless, or it’s gonna bring the team down, we call it out.”

This kind of resilient mindset is what allows teams to succeed. Players who stay committed, push through challenges, and refuse to let setbacks define them ultimately find themselves in better positions.

For parents, this is a crucial lesson to teach young athletes. Encourage them to magnify their current role, whether they’re a starter, a bench player, or somewhere in between. Every contribution matters, and when each person fully commits to their assignment, the team thrives.

Brees also spoke about failure as the best teacher. He reminded us that,

“It’s OK to be competitive. It’s OK to be disappointed when you face failure. But you also must realize that failure is the best teacher… It’s what’s going to have you come back working even harder, even more focused, even more determined, and even more resilient.”

At the end of the day, great teams are built on great teammates—those who embrace their role, support their teammates, and display resilience in the face of challenges. Success isn’t just about individual talent; it’s about collective commitment and the ability to persevere through adversity. And that’s a lesson that applies far beyond sports.