On Sunday, for the third time in a row, the Swiss Ice Hockey National Team won the silver medal. In other words, they missed out on gold again, which is a shame for several reasons.
They played exceptionally well. They won every game in regulation time. They scored plenty of beautiful goals. The World Championship took place on home soil, in Fribourg and Zurich. The atmosphere was fantastic. It felt like our time to shine.
Of course, we are still incredibly proud of them. Watching this team over the past few weeks made me realize that many of the qualities that helped them succeed would also make everyday life better, whether within our families and friendships, at work, in traffic, or even at the supermarket.
Teamwork
The players understand that even if you are the top scorer, an NHL star, the tournament MVP, or a goalie setting world records, you cannot do it alone. They support and encourage each other. Forwards are not too proud to help out in defense, and nobody says, “That’s not my job,” when a defender joins the attack.
Have faith in others
When you trust your teammates, you know where they are without having to look up. You can make a pass with confidence. That trust creates positive experiences, and those experiences build the belief that you can overcome difficult situations, come back from behind, and survive even the toughest penalty kills.
Check your ego at the locker room
It is not important who scores. What matters is creating opportunities and helping the team succeed. The players celebrate each other's achievements and are genuinely happy when a less experienced teammate gets his moment in the spotlight.
Act with foresight
Wayne Gretzky famously said that he skated to where the puck was going to be, not where it had been. The best players anticipate rather than react. The same principle applies to everyday life. Thinking one step ahead often prevents problems before they arise.
Stay in the moment
Journalists love to ask questions such as, “The next game is a knockout game against Sweden. What are your thoughts?” Players usually respond by focusing on the task immediately in front of them. First comes today's practice, today's meeting, today's game plan. Success is built shift by shift, not by worrying about what might happen next week.
Follow the rules
Taking a penalty does not only affect the player who committed the foul. It creates extra work and pressure for the entire team. Rules exist for a reason, and respecting them makes life easier for everyone.
Take care of your body
Elite athletes understand that performance depends on preparation. They get enough sleep, eat well, recover properly, and avoid habits that would undermine their long term health. Most of us are not competing for world championships, but we still benefit from treating our bodies with the same respect.
Take a break from screens
During the tournament, the players often spent their free time playing cards or Brändi Dog, a popular Swiss board game. More importantly, they enjoyed each other's company. As Simon Knak, one of the younger players, said after the tournament: “Now that it's over, we've spent several weeks together and I don't know what to do with myself.”
Build resilience
Not every game goes according to plan. Bad bounces happen. Refereeing decisions do not always go your way. Sometimes you lose despite doing many things right. The Swiss team showed that setbacks are not a reason to give up. They are simply part of the journey.
Show gratitude
Throughout the tournament, the players repeatedly thanked the fans, volunteers, coaches, medical staff, equipment managers, families, and everyone working behind the scenes. They understood that success is never achieved alone. A simple "thank you" costs nothing, yet it strengthens relationships, boosts morale, and reminds people that their efforts matter. Society could certainly use more of that.
Stay humble
Perhaps the most striking quality of this team was its humility. Despite individual achievements and international success, the players remained grounded, respectful, and focused on the collective goal. That is a quality worth admiring both on and off the ice.
Nino Niederreiter and I, 2019
The Swiss National Team may not have brought home the gold medal, but they demonstrated many of the qualities that lead to success in any area of life. If more of us embraced teamwork, trust, humility, resilience, and a willingness to support one another, we would all be better off. The lessons from this team extend far beyond the rink.
Which quality of the Swiss National Team do you think society could benefit from most, and why?
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