Third Quarter 2015- Issue 21
Note from Coach Mario- At the End of the Day- ” A Strong Team”
A critical pillar of leadership is the competency, Build Strong Teams. It is normal to begin building a strong team with individuals that you trust and believe have character and competence. Having the right people around you can allow you to be the best leader possible. I recently heard an interview with Paul McCartney who said of The Beatles when asked what made them who they were and became. His answer was “…we were a unit.” They got along (not just during gigs, but in between gigs) and depended on each other. Having strong individuals on your team does not automatically mean you have built a strong team. It likely means you have talented, accomplished individuals. Undoubtedly, of the Fab Four, two of the four, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, were strong individuals (and arguably the likely leaders) of The Beatles. How they functioned as John, Paul, George and Ringo together, however, was the key to sustained success as The Beatles. As the leader of the band, ask yourself do the individuals on your team function as a solo act (indifferent to others) or maybe a duet (cliquish) when the entire team is needed to “make the hits.” Recently I worked with a sales executive who reflected on a team covenant (a promise that binds each team member) that his team had just created and the executive observed that what was in the covenant had nothing to do with selling but instead on the relationships and how they promised to get along, encourage and support each other. The following is illustrative of what was in the covenant:
We Promise to …
- Trust each other to create a positive work environment and not question each other’s motives.
- Provide transparent and frequent communication.
- Respect and value each other.
- Be leaders who provide tools, resources and encouragement.
- Promote accountability and humility at all times.
- Encourage true teamwork.
A strong team is rooted in a sincere and solid foundation of positive relationships with each team member when working together internally and unified when representing the team externally. Whether your team is selling services, copy, physical products or albums, it will be seen and its actions observed as a strong team, with a better chance of producing hits, if their efforts are performed in harmony as ” a unit.”
— Mario Flores
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