How many of us run around every day, in business and in life, trying to play every position, and do everything for everybody? From handling the ball to blocking the shots, we think that we can do it all, and do it well!

When I was just starting college basketball with UCLA, Wilt Chamberlain took me aside and taught me the most important lesson of my life. I only had one job. And in 1989, knowing my job made me an All-Star basketball player. Wilt was right.

Many teams have a superstar who does more than one thing well, but without great teamwork, even the greatest players don’t stand a chance of winning every game.

SITTING ON THE BENCH

When I started as a basketball player at UCLA, I had some serious doubts about my future in the sport. After the first year, I looked back and felt that I had been an absolute failure. It just didn’t seem like I had what it took to be a success. It was like my dream was going up in smoke. I started to ask myself, “Am I good enough to be out here?”

I remembered what my basketball career in high school had been like. I spent most of my time warming the bench. I had quit playing the game after high school for a reason, and now I doubted my decision to return.

Then something happened that changed my life forever. Wilt Chamberlain taught me to know my job.

RUNNING AROUND THE COURT

Every afternoon that summer I went to the gym at UCLA. All the greatest players in Los Angeles congregated in what we called the Old Men’s Gym to test their skills against one another in pick-up games. Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Michael Cooper and many other NBA players were there every day, and only the best players could join in.

One afternoon I was trying to catch this fast little guard on the other team named “Rocket” Rod Foster. He would be at the basket when I was still at half court, doing my best to catch him… I tried everything, and didn’t know what to do to get better.

I just stood there on the sidelines, hands on my knees, huffing and puffing, frustrated and thinking to myself, “I can't do it.“ I thought I would never be at the level these guys were at.

“IT’S NOT YOUR JOB”

As I stood on the sidelines, I suddenly felt a large, strong hand on my shoulder. I turned around, and there was Wilt Chamberlain, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Wilt had retired from basketball a few years before, but every afternoon, he would still come over to the Old Men’s Gym to watch the younger players work out. He had been watching me from the sidelines.

Wilt grabbed me by the shoulder, spun me around, looked me in the eye and said, "Young fella... first of all, you are never gonna catch that man..."

I said, "Thanks Wilt. I know that..."

I felt even more foolish about my basketball aspirations at this point, begrudging the fact that I had played so poorly in front of this basketball legend.

Wilt continued, "What's more important is; it's not your job.” He took me by the arm out onto the basketball court. He positioned me right in front of the basket and told me, “Let me tell you what your job is…”

Wilt said, “Your job is to guard this basket. Your job is to stand right here and keep other players from scoring. I've watched you play, and I see the skill you have at defense. That is what you need to concentrate on.”

That day, everything changed for me. I began to understand what I needed to do on the court. I understood what I could be great at. Wilt showed me how I could be invaluable to my team.

I wasn't fast, and I wasn't that good at scoring, but I did have a talent for preventing others from scoring goals. At 7’4”, I could be a force on defense to be reckoned with.

BECOMING AN ALL-STAR

After Wilt Chamberlain pulled me aside and showed me what he saw in me, I stopped running around, trying to do everything on the court. My job was to play defense and guard the area under the basketball net. Before the game, when everyone was warming up, I would walk around the area under the basket, and say to myself, “This is my house… and I will make sure that nobody gets in here.”

I focused on the one thing I could be great at, and I went on to become one of the great defensive players in the NBA. Four years later, in 1985, I broke the record for the most blocked shots in a single season, 456, which is still the NBA record. I was named Defensive Player Of the Year twice. In 1989 I became an All-Star.

Are you All-Star material? If you really know your job, you will get there. Start by asking your coworkers, your family, your friends, “What are my strengths…” You might be surprised what you hear. Look for that hand on your shoulder – you’ll be surprised to see who it is when you turn around.

Sometimes it takes someone great to see how we are great. But you don’t need it to be Wilt Chamberlain. Look for the greatness in your co-workers, and show others the greatness in yourself.

NARROW YOUR FOCUS

When we get too focused on exceeding expectations, sometimes we forget the basics.

Narrow your focus and intensify it. Do what you do best. While I was busy running around the court, trying to catch every point guard, I didn’t get underneath the basket quick enough to do my job on defense.

In order to make it to the top, play to your strengths and know your job. If everyone on your team focuses on what they do best, you have a great plan for victory.

Mark Eaton is a business speaker and coach who works with organizations and individuals sharing the four commitments that bring about teamwork, breakthrough success and sustained cultural change. His inspiring journey from auto mechanic to record-breaking NBA player, combined with his practical strategies and principles, help organizations play and win in the biggest game out there. To book Eaton for your next event, visit www.7ft4.com or e-mail him at mark@7ft4.com.