If you’re familiar with rugby, you will know that one of the most important moments in this sport is what is known as the “third half”; the session after the match when the players from both teams get together to talk about the game, to put aside their rivalries and to share a beer.

Personally I am convinced that the “third half” is THE most important half and is the part that makes rugby such a genuine team sport. Raising a glass together regardless of the position you play in the team and the results that are obtained means that rugby players feel a sense of unity and a strong desire to represent their club. Each player sees himself as part of a community that aspires to the same goal and will put his heart and soul into achieving it – which forms the basis of the third half.

The attitude that sustains the “third half” in rugby is what I want to achieve in the Technology and Operations area and in our bank – in BBVA Francés. The reason is because I believe that good team relations are fundamental to working well and to having a good quality of life.

The question that arises is how to achieve and strengthen the bonds between us? Sharing enjoyable times together is undoubtedly one way… and if we make the effort to share some time together, away from our daily worries, these times will be influential and will be remembered when we need to work hard and in our day to day procedures.

What do I mean by that? I mean that the pleasure we derive from our leisure time or from coffee breaks can exist alongside and help to offset the stress that comes from our work. So the pleasure of doing what you know and the satisfaction derived from a job well done, sit side by side with having fun and good team spirit, without having to think of them as being contradictory or conflicting positions.

We need to ensure that it is enjoyable sharing these informal moments when we can listen to others and get to know each other, away from our specific job functions. This will help us to understand each other, to accept our limitations, to forgive errors, to feel like a team but without trying to outshine each other, and to create an environment in which values like trust and respect are the real currencies.

Once we have created a good environment “off the pitch”, we will be in better shape to…

… assemble the best team. If we know each other, we will be able to give honest opinions about people and their skills, to position players in the best place so they can maximise their potential.

… discuss ideas. So people can contribute more than just their personal interest and together we can build a team in which we all push in the same direction.

… coordinate tasks. If there is mutual trust, the whole team shares in every match.

I sincerely believe that the T&O Argentina department has the right team to accompany BBVA Francés to achieve success. There will be plenty of matches – and some we will draw – but together we will try to win the majority. And more important is how we celebrate in the third half!!!!

(*) Alberto Chaparro is missing from this photo of the management team of T&O Argentina and I publicly apologise for his absence. From left to right: Rubén Stempellato, me, Gustavo Siciliano, Daniel Neme and Guillermo de la Plaza.