I admit it: I was among the millions of Americans who spent last night watching the Super Bowl pitting the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. The underdog Saints and the favorite Colts shared a goal - to win the National Football League Championship. It wouldn't be easy for either team.

Late in the 1st half, the Saints were behind and had a 4th down on the 2 yard line. They could kick a field goal for a sure 3 points, or they could try to make the final 2 yards for 6 points. The Saints opted for the riskier option and tried for 6. It was a choice that failed, for despite giving it all they had the Colts stopped them for no gain.

The 2nd half started with the Saints kicking to the Colts. And, to the surprise of everyone, they once again opted for a risky option. Rather than kicking deep, they shocked the Colts by kicking the ball only 10 yards. It hit a Colts player and, when the dust had settled, the Saints had recovered the ball. They then went on to score a touchdown and take the lead.

The Saints ultimately achieved their goal, defeating the Colts 31-17. But that fact is unimportant to the lesson I hope you take from the two plays I've highlighted:

1. Even if you give it your best effort, occasional failure is inevitable.
2. The payoff for successfully making risky but calculated decisions is worth it.

Keep that in mind the next time you're faced with having to decide between 2 or more possible courses of action. Yes, you may fail.

But what if you don't?

In the Army, soldiers who have given up on doing anything more than the minimum required to get by are said to be on the Road Program.

That's Road, as in Retired on Active Duty.

Take a look at what you've been doing over the last 6 months or so. Would an outside observer believe that you too are on the Road Program? Or are you doing whatever it takes to add value to your organization?

We all go through periods in which we're not as motivated to perform as we should be. That's to be expected. But periods of malaise that seem to last longer and longer each time they occur are a sure sign that you're a candidate for the Road Program.

The key point to all of this is that it's your responsibility to do something about it. Whether it's recharging your passion for what you're doing, or accepting that it's time to move on, you owe it to yourself and those around you to get off the ROAD.

When someone asks you for help, do you ask "why?" or "why not?"

When asked to do it a different way do you ask "why?" or why not?"

When you face a challenge, do you ask "why? or "why not?"

When things don't go your way, do you ask "why?" or "why not?"

It's a subtle shift of perspective that can make a world of difference. Don't ask "why?", ask "why not?"

It's no secret that the ability to effectively communicate is an essential skill for High Performance Success. It's also no secret that entirely too many of us struggle with that skill. So what are you to do if you're one of the many?

One of the most effective methods for improving your presentations - whether they be sales presentations, formal briefings or any other prepared material - is to record both the rehearsals and the actual presentation. While audio recordings are good, the best method is to make a video recording. And, with the flood of small, inexpensive video recorders now on the market (not to mention the number of cell phones that have video recording capabilities) recording yourself is easier than ever.

Record your rehearsal once you're fairly comfortable with your material. In order to get the greatest possible benefit, give your presentation in as close to the same environment as is possible, using whatever visual aids you will be using in the actual presentation.

Of course, once you've recorded yourself you have to do something with what you have. Here are the 4 steps that I recommend for using a video recording for improving your presentations:

• Watch it w/out sound. First, turn off the audio and watch yourself in silence. As you watch yourself without the distraction of sound, pay attention to your body language. Do you fidget? Do you appear confident? Are your gestures and movement natural or forced?
• Listen to it w/out video. Next, turn up the volume but turn away from the screen. As you listen to the audio of your presentation pay attention to excessive use of verbal crutches ("Um" Ahh" etc), awkward words and phrases, and the general "flow" of what you're saying.
• Watch and listen. Now, put it all together. Watch, listen and consider the following points. Do your actions match your words? Is the overall impression one of someone who is confident in them self and their material?
• Repeat. Make whatever changes you feel are necessary based on your initial viewing and repeat the process until you are comfortable. It may take more time than you would normally dedicate to preparing for a presentation but it will pay immeasurable dividends in your ability to deliver a professional, engaging and informative presentation.

As I mentioned previously, it's also a great idea to make a video recording of the actual presentation if possible. You can apply the 4 steps from above in watching that recording to prepare yourself for the next time you have the opportunity to present.

The Houston Chronicle on Sunday featured an article about the New York Jets' rookie Head Coach Rex Ryan. I highlight it not because of what it says about Rex Ryan as a football coach but because of what it can teach us about team building.

Reading the article reveals 3 team building truths that you can incorporate in your team building efforts:

1. Set concrete goals and get your team's buy-in.

See, he couldn’t get them to believe unless he believed. Ryan began that process with a training camp that was focused on team building. Looking back on it now, it’s eerie how it has worked out.

“It’s something I thought was important, to get away where they just had each other and they could bond together,” Ryan said. “I think that was the important thing. They don’t want to let each other down. They don’t want to let themselves down, they don’t want to let each other down and they believe in the players that we have here. They believe in our systems.

When the Jets held their first team meeting after making the playoffs, Ryan passed out an itinerary that included practice schedules right through Super Bowl Sunday.

2. Team building "events" should be relevant to the organizational mission.

One day, Ryan is asking them to bring in their high school video to add comic relief to a team meeting.Another day, he’s turning routine pass drills into on-the-field competition, complete with rewards for the winners. Ryan might turn a defensive strategy session into a game of Jeopardy.

3. Look out for everyone on your team, not just the superstars.

And maybe most important of all, every player knows Ryan has his back. He tells them so. He tells others, too.

“He loves his players,’’ Jets linebacker Bart Scott said. “He’s not just there watching. He’s interacting not only with the people who are perceived to be the stars or the starters. He’s there with the last men on the roster as well. He understands that this is a business, but you can go about your business and have fun and enjoy it as well.”

There is, of course, much more to building a High Performance Team, but incorporating these three team building truths in a team building program would be an excellent place to start.

Do you want to be a leader?

You can read one or one thousand books on the topic. You can attend any number of colleges that teach the subject. You can engage coaches and mentors to teach and guide you.

Or, you can remember one simple fact:

Leaders make things better.

That's it. That's all you have to remember. That's all you have to do; everything else is detail. But if you constantly and consistently strive to make things better you will be a leader.

And a good one at that.