Last week was the NBA draft and with each selection, statements were made about each selection regarding their potential, skill, talent and other words that described the athlete and how they might meet the needs of the team that selected them. One thing that was seldom discussed was how they would fit in as a teammate. We have all heard the word chemistry used to describe how a team of individuals works together in an effort to reach a common goal. I was surprised that this idea was left out almost entirely while the experts commented on the attributes of these future NBA players.
There are countless ideas related to teamwork and how individuals work together to reach a common goal and work together in unity. Here are five concepts that leaders can use to build this “Team Chemistry” that we hear about so often.
1. Take the time to build relationships with those that you are leading.
In order to be an effective leader, there needs to be some kind of relationship between the leader and the followers. Followers need to feel that they are valued. A follower needs to be encouraged when challenged with a difficult task. A follower needs to trust his leader if he is going to follow him. All these require a relationship with the leader. Communication is the key to any relationship and although this relationship does not have to be deep on a personal level, it does need to be such that the follower can go to the leader if needed.
2. Give your team the ability to speak freely and share their concerns.
The sum of the teams effort is always more that the result of any one individual. If you have ten people on your team, you have ten different views of how to reach the objective. Be willing to accept any thoughts and ideas and be open to the fact that your original idea may not be the best way to reach your goal.
3. Communicate the big picture as related to the objectives of your organization.
How often do you ask you team to complete a task without giving them the full picture? The power of a team is in the journey and not the destination. When the big picture is communicated clearly it allows the team to be innovative on reaching that goal. Sometimes a completely different path than what was originally envisioned, will create a shorter more productive path to the desired end result.
4. Make sure that the focus is on the team and not on any individual, especially yourself.
As leaders, we often feel that it is our responsibility to come up with the game plan and then allow our team to refine it and work out the fine details. A leader needs to be open to the possibility that another member of the team may have a better idea on how to achieve the desired result. Be humble enough that you can recognize that one of the benefits of a team is being part of a group of like-minded individuals that together can accomplish much more than any one individual.
5. Keep in mind that Leadership is an evolving process. Priorities can change.
Any team effort is an evolving process. Our responsibility as a leader is to steer the process in a productive manner but the real benefit within the team dynamic is to allow the process to develop using the collaborative efforts of the entire team. The priorities or direction of the activity may change but the values or overall objective should remain the target.
The bottom line is this: If you want to create a great team, you need to lead a group of individuals that are all treated and valued equally. Don’t allow what you believe you are responsible for as a leader to get in the way of the ideas and innovation that a team can produce.
What are you doing to create a better team?
Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 7/1/12
