Can this be a factor for a failing business? Absolutely! Business is a team sport. And for any sport team to win a game, all members has to play their part selflessness. Not only that, all team members has to be fitted nicely together like a jigsaw puzzle; to create the synergy.
Let’s take an example in football. In the English Premier League (EPL), the top four teams (Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) have the potential to win any teams in the world. However, when you select the best players from these four teams and put them together in a team, they are unable to perform.
Individually they are still the best, but come to a team, they couldn’t create that synergy. It was once said that Manchester United is better than the England team. The fact is England is now struggling to qualify the Euro 98.
What is the keys to create a winning team? I guess there’s no one formula to it.
Everyone must be very clear and align about the goal of the team. There must be a common understanding that no one will quit. Everyone will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Everyone must be willing to tell the truth. Whenever there is any unhappiness about any issues or team members, it has to be cleared at that moment. The longer you drag, the more unhealthy it will be. The unhappiness will become a resentment to you and it’ll become poison to the team.
Don’t be afraid to ask more of each other. The team is as strong as it’s weakest link. Ask more of each other, so that members can improve, thus the team improve. Warning: don’t think that the strongest will always be the strongest. The strongest may be the weakest link if you are not careful.
Be very transparent with the team. Trying to hide things from the team is going to cause suspicious. If a member in your team know something, ensure the rest of the team knows about it. This keep everyone align and equip with the same information.
Communication, communication and communication. A team is made up of people, and people needs communication to keep them going. The interaction in the team helps to maintain the energy in the team. Interaction brings members closer, and breaks down any barriers with each other.
All the points mentioned are experiences from a winning team. It is the best team I had work with. We are definitely going to be the Champion.
