Monday, February 7, 2011

There is No "I" in Team Blog Series 1 of 3


Teamwork and team synergy have always played a big role in success I have had in life, business, and sports. I thought I would share some thoughts on teamwork in a three part blog series called "There's no "I" in Team". The blog series will be divided into the following posts:

1. Develop Roles and Responsibilities

2. Facilitate Synergy

3. Enable Greatness

Here is blog post 1 of 3 - Develop Roles and Responsibilities

There's No "I" in Team

You have probably heard the saying there is no "I" in Team. You may have also heard the acronym for team, which is TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More or even the team quote, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Vince Lombardi, the most quoted NFL coach, said this about teams, "People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society." For a minute, think of successful teams you have been apart of in life, sports, or business. What would you say was the key to your success? I would guess to say that one of the keys to your success was that everyone on the team had a clear understanding of their role and responsibility.

Develop Roles and Responsibilities

The singular most important principle to facilitate success with your teams in life, business, or sports is to make sure everyone has a clear understanding of their role and responsibility. By doing so, you will create an environment where passion, focus, and precision drive winning results.

To help you do this, first write down the names of your team members. Then ask yourself, "How does each team members' roles and responsibilities align with the big picture, the vision or outcome of where you want to be? Once you understand how each team member aligns with your overall strategy. Bring each team member into your office and explain to them their role and responsibility. Make sure that each team member understands what a winning day looks like. To help you do this exercise, I have provided examples of the roles and responsibilities of a football wide receiver and a product marketing manager.

Roles

A role is the part played on the team.

Wide Receiver
For example, a role is wide receiver. A wide receiver's goal is to help the team move the ball down the field to score points.



Product Marketing Manager
For example, a role is product marketing manager. A product marketing manager's goal is to help a company develop go-to-market strategies that increase sales and drive revenue.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are the actions, activities, and events performed by a specific role.

Wide Receiver
For example, a wide receiver's responsibilities are to consistently run fast and accurate routes, catch the ball, and gain the most yards. A wider receiver is measured by pass completion percentage and average yards gained to name a few.

Product Marketing Manager
For example, a product marketing manager responsibilities are to do develop go-to-market strategies, messaging, competitive positioning collateral, sales presentations, and product launches as a few examples. A product marketing manager could be measured by effectiveness of go-to-market strategies, initial projected vs actual revenue generation from product launches and sales training and preparedness to name a few.

By defining, the responsibilities and measurements for each role of your team, you will enable each team member with a clear understanding of what is required for winning. You will also develop an environment where performance, productivity, accountability, and success reign.

Powerful "There is No "I" in Team Quotes"

Below are a few of my favorite team quotes the embody the powerful results of teamwork:

Individual commitment to a group effort-that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
- Vince Lombardi

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.
- Babe Ruth

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.
- Andrew Carnegie

Synergy - the bonus that is achieved when things work together harmoniously.
- Mark Twain

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
- Henry Ford

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

Anyone can support a team that is winning - it takes no courage. But to stand behind a team to defend a team when it is down and really needs you, that takes a lot of courage.
- Bart Starr

Team guts always beat individual greatness.
- Bob Zuppke

The main ingredient in stardom is the rest of the team.
- Unknown

Commitment to the team - there is no such thing as in-between, you are either in our out.
- Pat Riley

I have seen that in any great undertaking, it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.
- Lone Man

What are some of your thoughts on teamwork? Comments are welcome.

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