“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” – Vince Lombardi
Success, whether in the boardroom or on the playing field, requires collaboration to overcome obstacles and move together quickly. There is a proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” When a team is rooted in trust, they are able to achieve incredible goals.
When a team’s foundation isn’t based on trust,
they get stuck and may require help getting back on track. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is doing team building with companies and sports teams. The goal of team building is to develop greater trust, create authentic connections, improve communication and resolve any underlying conflicts. The result is a stronger, more focused team capable of maximum performance.
Leadership
Team building starts with the leadership. Often, when companies or sports teams approach me about team building, the first question I ask is about the leadership. Will the leadership be able to see the value and invest the necessary time and energy? If leadership doesn’t buy in, it is difficult to move the needle. A team may have the most talented players or employees, but without leadership, vision and guidance, they can’t achieve their potential. Leaders must demonstrate passion, trust, vulnerability, and most importantly, they must be unafraid to confront issues. The leader sets the tone for the team. As Colin Powell said, “Good leaders are made, not born.” Team building can help teach team leaders how to address difficult topics and how to be vulnerable enough to lead with trust and compassion. Be it a NFL quarterback or a Fortune 100 CEO, leaders that learn to exhibit these characteristics are most effective at guiding their teams to success.
If you can remember one thing, leaders, remember that vulnerability is courage. Your team will welcome your vulnerability.
Team
While the leader sets the vision, the team still has to execute. According to Jack Stark, a performance psychologist, the people who are in place within an organization or a sports team, are the single most important factor in determining future success. If one individual is not committed to the betterment of the team, it can be detrimental to the entire group. For instance, if a football game comes down to a field goal and the kicker is ill-prepared, no matter how hard the rest of the team worked through the game, the team will lose. This scenario holds true for companies as well. If one employee has a bad day, it can result in the company losing a large account despite the hard work of the rest of the team. It is important to know that teams are dynamic and ever changing. Recognizing your tendencies, realizing your gaps and understanding realities vs. facades are all critical components of building an authentic team.
Whether you are a start-up technology company or a veteran professional sports team, you must always have a collective goal. Teams that identify a common goal and are clear on the role they play in achieving that goal set themselves up for success. Team building helps ensure clarity around the collective goal, the strategy necessary to reach it, and what role each individual has in achieving it.
If you can remember one thing, teams, ensure that your team is clear on the collective goal and the game plan to get there.
