Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people – Steve Jobs
Team mentality is an incredibly important element of any organization, sports team or company’s success. No man is an island and organizations, teams and companies are made up out of interesting, unique, different and diverse individuals. What matters most is to realize that the the sum of the whole is greater than each of the individual parts. If we want to be successful and achieve our goals, we have to work together as a team.
But how do you build great Team Mentality? Here are our top 5 tips:
Team Mentality Tip #1: Know your Team
People do not work well together when they don’t care about each other. If you want people to be invested in one another and really care about each other, they have to get to know each other. Be genuinely interested in the who and the why of your team. Ask each others’ input and share ideas and experiences. Take the time to get to know each others’ culture, attitudes and beliefs that shaped each individual. When we know each other, we understand each other… and with insight comes better team work.
Team Mentality Tip #2: Trust
Great teams are ones in which everyone trusts one another and values the contributions each member brings to the team. When you really know each other, you know exactly what you can expect from your team mate. To trust each other and have faith in each other’s abilities allows a team to form an authentic bond. Show your team mates every day that you have the best interest of the team at heart and that they can count on you.
Team Mentality Tip #3: Well-defined roles
Each team member should know exactly what he or she must do on a day-to-day basis so that the team achieves its goals. Without that clarity, team members will work at cross-purposes and trip each other up. Whether your team members are top performers or emerging support players, they are both equally important. The best teams are those where each member on the team is accountable to themselves and to each other. They are crystal clear about their role and responsibilities and they know what is expected of them.
Team Mentality Tip #4: 100% commitment
The only way for a team to succeed is when every member of the team is 100% committed. Day after day, every day, consistently. When one of the team members is not pulling their weight or is not doing what is expected from them, it will discourage the rest of the team members and bring their own commitment into question.
No one individual should EVER be above the team. You cannot be a good team mate if you’re not willing to commit. Work hard, be consistent and reliable. When you go the extra mile for your team, they will go the extra mile for you.
Team Mentality Tip #5: Great Leadership, Strong Culture and Identity
Every team needs a coach. A captain. A leader. Someone who sets goals, gives direction and keeps perspective. The best teams have great leadership who live the promise of the culture and identity that they in turn want their teams to believe in and uphold.
A great leader will challenge, interest and inspire you. Keep you on your toes. All you have to do is to be willing to learn. Remember you never know everything and in your career (and in life..) great leaders will expect something from you…they will expect you to be great too.
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; but together we can do great things – Mother Teresa
