Team Success Secrets

Contributed by Elaine Landau

No basketball player ever won an NBA Championship alone. No World Series was won by a single player. Not one NFL Super Bowl went to one quarterback without a team. It can be argued that there is always a Most Valuable Player, but that individual gives his/her all to make the team the best it can be.

Teams make up most of the human condition. We are born into one that we call our family. We work with a team that we call coworkers. Teams must be organized and work together to achieve goals and objectives. Some have strong, mercurial coaches. Some have quiet, pensive coaches. Whatever their style, coaches are needed to lead the team, inspire the team, and hold it together in times of uncertainty. Teams combat other teams. They feed off other teams. Socially and professionally, we are fans of them. When we wear their logos on our shirts, we feel as if we are part of those teams. That feeling of belonging inspires loyalty and the desire to do your best for them. Whether you are the best kicker, quarterback, or fan, when you give your best efforts to the team, the team benefits.

To quote a line from Star Trek, “Do the needs of one, outweigh the needs of the many?” To tell you the truth, I can’t remember what the answer was, but I do know that in this discussion about the secrets of a successful team, one’s goals should be in line with the team goals. The good of the one should be the good of the many. If a quarterback breaks a record, chances are he is trying to make his team win at the same time. It doesn’t always happen that way, but his intensions are in line with his personal goals and his team’s goals.

The Leader’s Role
A good leader inspires people to follow and share a vision. A leader defines the team goals, sets deadlines, reinforces their shared vision at every opportunity, and provides a safety net in case an individual is temporarily out of sync with the overall team effort. The leader needs to be tough, but not too rigid, so that there is give and take in the relationship. A leader is willing to put it all on the line and the team knows it.

The Teams’ Role
Team players talk to the leader and talk to each other. Communication is key to every successful team. Praise, encouragement, and constructive criticism are constants in their discussions. Mistakes are pointed out so they can be avoided. A team creates a positive bond between members and leaders.

Who’s on First?
Within the team, each person needs to know and understand his/her role. For example, if the marketing team is looking to an individual to provide in-depth research for an important project, that employee needs to step up to the plate. The Internet is a valuable research tool. If he/she has basic computer training, he/she should explore basic Internet training, a free Internet lesson, and free Internet tutorial. For the good of the team, he/she can learn at home. With proficiency will come confidence and soon the team will benefit from that employee playing his/her role magnificently.

The goal is excellence
If a team strives for mediocrity, it will surely succeed for a while, but then it will slide further downhill. No matter how depressed an individual or morose a cause, people are naturally drawn to positive goals and the need to excel. A competitive spirit can enhance that striving, but beating the other guy is not necessarily the goal. It could just be a nice side benefit. The idea is to feel excellence from within, add that to your team’s collective excellence and then ultimately take pride in the greatness of the team.

Using Weaknesses as Strengths
Not every member of a super-star team is a super star. Some people are excellent at one task and one task only. A good leader will exploit that strength and never harp on the person’s weaknesses.

All Work and No Fun is No good
The best teams get along. They appreciate each other. That doesn’t mean that each one is each other’s best friend. There may be some real competition going on between members. But it is the healthy competition, not destructive, that inspires each to do better. Remember, a team is a family and not all family members get along. But if an outsider ever decides to go after that black sheep of the family, watch the wagons circle around that outsider. Team loyalty should never be underestimated.

Team members bond in the deadline war zone and while playing basketball during lunch breaks. Leaders should encourage team members to appreciate each other in various scenarios, not just in the workplace.

Success
Success is the prize. If every team member keeps his/her eyes on the prize, it is indeed attainable. If a great leader nurtures that team, success is expected. If the team is a true team, success will be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

About the Author:
Elaine Landau is a freelance writer, publicist, web site editor, and television writer with more than 15 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and publicity.

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