Many organizations talk about being a team. Very few effectively practice being a team. It is not just about the most talented performers. Every position on the team does not require the same level of talent. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for having as many talented people as I can recruit. But, never sacrifice being a team for a single performer.

However, consider this … there are no bad teams, just bad leadership. In sports, do the most talented teams always win? Definitely not. Nobody always wins. The ones with the best leadership are always in contention. You know, the ones on your schedule you hate to play even though you know you have a better team.

What does one need to pay attention to or look for in putting a team together? Of course we are looking for skill, talent and ability. Talent is what you are born with. Skills are learned and honed over time. Ability is consistently accessing one’s skill and talent regardless of the circumstances. No one can do what they can’t do. If they do something that’s surprising, it is probably due to it happening unexpectedly. It does indicate they have skill and talent with work needed on their ability.

In athletics, teams are usually recruited by several people. We pay attention to skill, talent and ability. The question that isn’t always answered is this; “Is this someone my Head Coach can coach?” This question satisfied will provide the consistency of performance that everyone wants.

A great talent that doesn’t fit can kill a good team. My feeling, always, is that I can coach anyone. A pause for a few seconds to consider whether or not that that really true has saved me many years of wear and tear. And, perhaps, where I might have short-changed other team members due to the energy I have put in on the “uncoachable one.” By the way, I didn’t always take that pause.

Be sure the operating principles of your culture are clear, committed to by all team members and are practiced daily. If you are the person in charge, you need to be the leading practitioner of your principles. In other words, what you want from each team member is what they get from you at all times.

Online at lulu.com you will find Coach Todd’s books that support what is said here.