In many workplaces, “Be a team player” is simply code for, “Shut up and do the grunt work.” But if you want to understand real teamwork, see the movie “Miracle,” the mostly true story about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal, defeating the heavily favored Soviets in the process.

Coach Herb Brooks came on far stronger than most managers would ever think of, but it fit the situation. Brooks was coaching athletes in their early 20s — people chosen not because they were superstars, but because they were educated and open-minded. He chose his 20 “employees” for fit: people who would work hard and trust his judgment.

The U.S. program back then was markedly inferior to the Soviet one. In fact, just before the Olympics, the U.S. team had lost an exhibition to the Soviets 10-3.

But even though Brooks had been incredibly tough on his players during a 7-month training program, they had faith in him. And because the coach had been so tough that he seemed like a common enemy, they had faith in each other. They would show him.

They worked hard because they fit the program, and because Brooks insisted that everyone do it. He went out of his way to avoid playing favorites.

So they accomplished what Sports Illustrated called the most memorable sports moment of the 20th century: beating the Soviets and going on to win the gold medal.

And when it was over, Brooks didn’t hog the spotlight. He was in as much awe of his team as anyone else.

Sports Illustrated included a fitting footnote. After Brooks died last year — more than two decades after the team won the gold medal — every single player showed up for his wake.

They were, and always will be, a team.