The concept of teamwork hasn't always intrigued me. Despite being a varsity baseball coach's wife for 17 years and watching hundreds of my children's games, I really never considered it much - until recently. In the last few years, I have witnessed the dynamic transformation of some average achievers into truly inspirational leaders, which is ultimately responsible for their recent Sectional Championship. What are the lessons we can learn from these transformations at the individual and team level?
A successful team is a synergy of raw talent, drive, passion, commitment, energy, connection and leadership where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Senior players must take junior members under their wings to nurture and cultivate that talent while creating a safe environment in which they can grow. When this happens, their commitment to the team and each other is strengthened, fueling their drive, inspiration, and will to win. Their energy remains anabolic...catabolic energy cannot be tolerated because it erodes the foundation of the team. They are connected not only as teammates, but friends, peers, and comrades.
Successful teams are led by coaches who are invested in their player's development as young men and athletes. The leaders devote countless hours to their team's growth because they are emotional invested and recognize the significance of their role. Effective leaders model ideal behavior, hold players accountable, counsel and confront when necessary, and teach to cover the gaps both at the individual and team level. Tonight, I watched all of these moving parts come together and realized the amazing power of synergy - what is possible when1 + 1 = 3 or more.
Should it really be any different in our workplace? An effective team succeeds both "on" and "in" the field. Senior "players" should look for raw talent and seek to develop those "players" and cultivate the "will-to-win" that drives productivity, profits, and success. In doing so, strong relationships and connection will drive a team toward a common mission or goal.
Leaders need to be available for seeking counsel, guidance, and direction while modeling effective "critical conversations" and hold others accountable. As a leader, don't sit on the sidelines! It's far more fun to coach the game - to reap the rewards of a successful team effort and to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself. Think about where those opportunities exist for you. Each of us is both a player and a coach and being effective in both roles contributes to team success!
