NO TEAM NO DREAM

SUCCESSFUL TEAMS Part II

It takes one person to dream but seldom if ever one person to make it come true.

Honestly, I love working independently. I like to control the quality and outcome of a job or product to suit my own fancy. Nothing is left to chance with someone else’s standards; the only obstacle to overcome is my own limitations. It makes me feel safe.

Hidden in all that independence and perceived perfection, however, is my fear of failure—a protection mechanism that stunts personal growth and perpetuates alienation. Not good! Not exactly a recipe for reaching full potential.

Working with others makes you vulnerable, subjected to their timeline and standards, and presents opportunities for disagreement. However, it brings some of the greatest joys in life as you become part of something much greater than yourself that can only be achieved by a team of people.

Dreams by definition are bigger than one person.

The humility teamwork requires also gives room for creativity to flourish in the safety of knowing, as you walk out on a limb, someone else’s input may break your fall.

GOD’S DESIGN

God’s plan stretched beyond just Adam. Eve was part of God’s plan for humans to cover the earth, exercise dominion, and flourish. God placed humans in families, which is the showcase of how things get done on earth.

The family structure displays all the qualities and elements of a successful team. It paints a picture of how to rule and conquer.

• It is diverse in gender, age, and dispositions.

• It has a built-in authority structure.

• It offers room for growth and change.

• It functions in seasons and times.

• It has an environment of impartation and training.

• There are opportunities to learn and develop.

• It requires skill to deal with today while planning for tomorrow.

• It is a place to call home, a group to belong.

• It presents safety to explore and grow.

• Exchanging of talents for the good of the family happens regularly.

• Working together and playing hard attributes to the health of the structure.

• Celebrations are a vital part of the success of the structure.

The family.

The team.

Different people, same family.

Different talents, shared goals.

BE DIFFERENT

The plan is to remain who you are in the midst of the team; different, unique, and growing to your best self in the process. Why strive to be someone else, they already exist!

Our strengths are in our differences.

Compromising individuality because of insecurity is like a big eraser ready to take out your value from your world. Growth and refinement are crucial for personal relevance and success, which is much different than sacrificing who you are to try to fit in. You should be different! The team needs your uniqueness to be complete.

BRING YOUR SKILL SET

The responsibility of every individual is to discover and embrace his or her strengths and bring them to the table for the benefit of the team. There are times to fill a lack or need on the team that are outside your skill set until that need is met. At least you may discover your hidden strengths! It is healthy to stretch. An attitude of “that’s not me,” “I never will,” or “this is who I am” will sabotage a team every time.

Stretch, compensate for the lack, and cover the loss until you earn the privilege to function in your giftings.

CONFLICT IS A GIVEN

Teamwork makes us stronger but also creates ample room for dispute. Unfortunately. We usually do not have problems until others get involved. Some people gladly sacrifice the size of the dream or team to avoid dealing with interpersonal conflict. Teams experience conflict when:

• The vision is not clearly defined and kept in view.

• There is a lack of people skills: honor and respect for each other.

• A culture of selfish ambition is rewarded.

• The buy-in to the vision is weak.

• It is about getting the job done as opposed to having value.

• Out of touch leadership—leading from too far away.

• Unfair practices are tolerated.

• Insufficient acknowledgment of accomplishments causes weariness.

• Authority is misused or abused.

• Teams function on assumption instead of proper communication.

It is unreasonable to expect zero conflict on a team, so successful conflict resolution is crucial in any team. It’s part of the nature of the beast of building winning teams that needs to be conquered. Interpersonal health causes healthier people that in turn cause an increase in production and profit. The opposite is also true.

STRONGER THAN ONE

Two people acting in one accord is stronger than two people working individually. There is a multiplication effect when people unite in actions. For instance, two parents speaking to their children in one voice is many times stronger than speaking differently on any given topic.

The biggest hurdle in joining forces is ego. An unhealthy one.

One person with a bad attitude has the power to break down the glue that holds a team together. That one person is enough to prevent unity from ever happening. How to deal with someone too loaded with ego on a team?

They have to go, let go, or go work alone.

There may be areas on a team where someone can work alone. It may limit the growth of the person yet offer an agreeable solution. Other times, the one that has trouble linking arms is merely a frustrated leader who needs more responsibility, challenge, and recognition. That person may possess a wealth of value for an organization, but it takes skilled leaders to see the difference between blind ego and cooped-up, suppressed abilities.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

In some circumstances, certain individuals may never act in unity no matter the time, place or reward. To save the team, divide and conquer may be the wise way to go.

It works with kids, so it should work with raw adult talent as well.

It’s like magic when you can bring peace amongst siblings by the principle of divide and conquer. Divide the task, divide the workspace, divide the goal, and see who thrives and follows through. Skillful leadership can identify and apply this principle, without anyone realizing the tactic, to the benefit of the whole team.

THE STRETCH

A dear elderly friend of mine used to end all her conversations with, “if the creek doesn’t rise.” This saying became very real to me as we traveled across the country. I saw how communities could be totally alienated when the creek that runs through town rises! In teams, creeks sometimes rise, doors close, wagons get stuck in the mud, projects do not flow or perform well, obstacles increase, backlogs occur in the line of production, with ultimate failure staring everyone in the face.

What then?

All hands on deck! When the creek rises, it may require new skill in bridge building. So get out the handbooks, learn on the go, think on your feet, and put your weight behind someone else’s efforts to get the team over the finish line.

When this happens, the win is far more than reaching the original goal.

It strengthens camaraderie, brings value to all the parts of the team, and results in celebrating as a team. Unity often grows under pressure. A team with no pressure will never grow in scope or spirit. Healthy pressure is good. Controlled pressure is vital in any winning team.

TEAM SUCCESS SNIPPETS

• Don’t put all the eggs (skills and favor) in one basket (member) in case it falls.

• Keep the condition of the forest in clear view, not only that of the trees.

• Encouragement can take someone where no human help can.

• Rubbing elbows is a delicate dance of necessity and danger.

• Safety to fail cannot be overrated in a team; it is a key to success.

• True leadership is not afraid of greater talent or adding value to others.

• Appropriate favor is given where favor is received.

• People return to the extra mile when they remember its benefits; monetary, but mostly otherwise.

• A good team member runs courageously whether alone or with others.

DREAM LEADERS WILL

Clarify

• The team culture, boundaries, and freedoms. Often.

Communicate

• Team goals and plan, personal value, and the broader purpose. All. The. Time.

Create

• Space to succeed, tools for the task, and opportunities to learn. Predictably.

Celebrate

• Wins, people, and purpose. Ritualistically.

DREAM TEAMS WILL

Show respect. Always. Everyone.

Show what they’ve got. Humbly.

Show up. Period.

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OPTIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOL

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR TRIBE?

Your “tribe” is the group of people you do life with—those you choose to have in your circle of friends and regular connections.

This assessment is focused on personal relationships but could also be applied to the workplace.

• Rate each question on a scale from 1-10.

• 1 = No, not at all

• 10 = Yes, all the time

• Do not use 5 more than twice.

1. Is your circle of friends overall diverse in gender, age, and disposition?

2. Do your friends respect the authority of their friends in different areas of life?

3. Do you feel safe to grow, change and be different in the group?

4. Does your tribe love you through different seasons and times without judgment?

5. Does their influence bring goodness to your life and their examples cause you to learn new and improved life skills?

6. Do you feel at ease in their presence without having to pretend you are something you are not or hide anything from them?

7. Do they encourage you in new ventures, believing in your hopes and dreams with you?

8. Do you benefit from their skills or talents as much as they benefit from yours?

9. Do you feel they are happy with you when you work hard or play hard, as opposed to judging you?

10. Are they truly happy for your wins and ready to celebrate with you as you are with them?

RESULTS:

Total points: 1-35

Take careful inventory of your real friends for you are not enjoying much support at this time. Your friends might be preoccupied with their own lives or that of others, not able to be the friend you deserve. Do not blame them; it will not make it better. Realize they are incapable of causing you to grow and develop in this season of your life. Take responsibility to get to know other people—reach out to make new connections with people who will be a positive influence in your life. Be the kind of friend you want to have. Work harder on healthier connections with those in your world right now. If you have one great friend, be grateful. It is more than most people have.

Total points: 36-69

You are part of a support structure that will probably be there for you in a crisis but are mostly apathetic about your future. Do not blame them; they may be occupied with their own lives, even stretched to maximum capacity and unable to support anyone else. You have friends you should cherish for sure, but your connections can improve by you stepping up and being the friend to them you want them to be to you. Reaching out beyond your current circle to make new friends. Don’t be afraid of new connections that will challenge your status quo and nudge you to grow! You are a good friend to have this score. Great job!

Total points: 70-100

Fall on your knees and thank God for amazing friends, a wonderful tribe that genuinely cares about your well-being! Even if the scope of your tribe is not vast, the friends you have are of great value. Be sure to express your love and care for them; they want the best for you. Take care of them; don’t lose anyone who has stuck with you through thick and thin. Don’t be afraid to include new friends who may need your tribe as well. Spread the goodness! You are most probably a very loyal and trusted friend to others, contributing significantly to the health of your tribe. Well done!

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