The Vancouver Canucks, leading the Stanley Cup Finals 2-0 over the Boston Bruins, seem to have luck on their side. While the Bruins may come back and win the championship, things definitely seem to be going the Canucks’ way. Few knowledgeable people believe that the success of the Vancouver franchise hinges on luck. Other factors definitely play a role.

QUESTIONS:

1. Review the many different ways in which Vancouver has been winning and then discuss this in light of teamwork. We often use the term “team” rather loosely. What makes the Canucks a team?
2. Rather than write off the Canucks previous failures as “bad luck” or the current successes as “good bounces,” examine what is taking place from the standpoint of how teams work. Focus on the inputs and throughputs that produce desired outputs in this case. How do the inputs for the current team different from the past? As you read the final few sentences of the article, what does this example suggest about the way players interact and work together? Why is this important?
3. While task and maintenance roles seem to apply to team meetings, discuss how the Canucks are able to accomplish several of these activities in order to be successful.

SOURCE: R. MacGregor, “Laughter in Vancouver as Bounces Go All Their Way,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/roy-macgregor/laughter-in-vancouver-as-bounces-go-all-their-way/article2048073/)

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