I've watched a lot of football in my life, and the one parallel between football and business keeps coming back to my mind – the importance of a strong team. Regardless of the franchise tags and celebrity labels our society places on some players, the truth is even the greatest quarterback must have line to protect them, running backs to loosen up the defense and receivers who can run the routes and catch the football.
The same is true in business. From short-term projects to long-term strategies, even the strongest leaders cannot operate in a vacuum. They need strong teams to accomplish their business goals and ensure the long-term viability of the department and – ultimately – the organization. Here are three characteristics of strong teams:
- Goal-driven. On the football field, teams have one goal in mind, to score more points than the other team. It all comes down to numbers: how many points you score in a game, and how many wins you get in a season. The same is true in business. What are the specific numbers that will motivate your team to accomplish its goal? How will they know they've succeeded? Is it a certain score your customer gives on a follow-up survey? Is it a pure business metric, such as a profit or cash flow goal? Whatever your team's scope or function, make sure you set and share a specific goal with your team, then keep them updated along the way.
- Interdependent. Players on football teams have to depend on each other to realize success themselves. In other words, if those responsible for blocking don't get their job done, it's impossible for the quarterback to have time to see the field and make the play. In business, the most effective teams are made up with the same compartments. Each function on the team depends on the others to do their jobs. If one fails or falls behind, the whole team is impacted and the project stalls. But teams win when all players realize their importance in the scope of the project and take responsibility for their work.
- Invested. Each player has to buy in to the game plan for the team to win. When the goal has been clearly defined, get each member involved in helping to devise the plan. Ask questions such as, "From your perspective, what approach would you take to accomplish your part of this goal?" or "What resources will you need to get the job done in the time available?" Let each team member voice his or her opinions, concerns, excitement or doubts, then let the group provide possible solutions. This type of consensus building will ensure that each player on your team is committed to reaching the goal.
One other observation about football teams – when they win, they know how to celebrate. In your business, take this page out of the football playbook! Once a goal has been reached, let your team celebrate the victory. This will only serve to strengthen your team and help accomplish even more for your business going forward.