What makes any team great, better than the rest?
Have you ever stopped and pondered about it? The most obvious answer is that special teams have exceptional people. But what is so unique about these people?
Is everyone supersmart?
Or is it the contagious energy of these people?
Or is it the never die spirit in chasing goals?
Or is it all of the above, or something else not mentioned above?
From my experience, the best teams have one thing in common: moving in unison almost at resonance frequency to achieve goals. Now the question arises, what’s that special ingredient to achieving this sync?
Some might be smart, not all; some might be overflowing with energy, some not; some might be ok burning the midnight oil; many not.
But one thing common to all is an unsaid, unmentioned understanding between one another.
For any team to be incredible, there has to be understanding, which leads to compassion.
Compassion is that secret sauce in the recipe for exceptional teams.
Achieving this level of understanding is easier said than done. One has to listen sincerely to understand, but listening is the most challenging part.
To listen, one has to live in the present, and that’s where most of us fail.
We are always chasing that next target, the next goal, that increment, the following deliverable, and it’s always about a time in the future that dominates our conversations.
Sometimes, just sometimes, take a deep breath, come back to this moment and listen to your team members. This small step will metamorph into something special, both for the team members and the team as a whole. Make discussions about the team members and not work. Listen to their issues, struggles, dreams, ideas, and course-correct them/yourself when necessary. A simple “How are you doing?” goes a long way.
Respect, loyalty, appreciation, and support will always be a two-way street. Give, and thou shall receive.
