Why is it that more often than not, the team with the most talent does not win the championship but rather the team that works together the best eventually ends up on top? There are numerous reasons including the players on the team know their role and they play unselfishly as a result. Talent cannot make that happen. It is more of a trust factor, that no matter how talented each player is, one player is not more important than the other.
Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden sat some of his most talented players until they learned to be a team member. He often told his players that when they would score, look for the teammate who passed the ball to them as they were returning to the other end of the court. Asked whether that made any difference, Coach Wooden responded by saying that the passer would be looking at the shooter for that acknowledgement.
We all talk team but are we willing to do what it takes to be a team. Some of us feel we are self made individuals. “I did it my way and no one helped me get to the top!” Just as someone once pointed out that when he saw a turtle on a fence post, he knew that the turtle did not get there by itself, so we need to realize that if people truly wanted to stymie our advancement in our leadership assent, we would not be were we are today.
The argument could be made that I did it by myself to get where I am today because I have the title to prove it. Then ask the question, “Does the title make the person a leader?” Title is the lowest level of leadership. If we have left bodies scattered along our assent and relationships have been hurt or destroyed for us to get where we are, it is more of being a selfish armored tank than being a gracious leader.
The biggest hindrance to building a team is a lack of trust. Patrick Lencioni has craft fully described team dysfunctions and how to remedy those dysfunctions. He shared that to have trust on a team, leaders should be pursing some, if not all of the following. (The opposite of the following will enhance continued trust problems.)
Admit weaknesses and mistakes, be vulnerable. We should accept questions and input about our areas of responsibility (being accountable). Give one another the benefit of the doubt before arriving at a negative conclusion (in other words, have any of us walked on water in summer lately?). Appreciate and utilize into each other’s strengths, experiences and skills. Focus on the important issues, selecting what few areas that are worth drawing a line in the sand. Get rid of grudges by offering and accepting apologies quickly. Encourage and desire the opportunies to work together as a team.
That list is radical, in that it goes against possibly the way leadership has been taught in many facets of society. Stories are found how our forefathers laid aside pride and making a name for themselves to put together the foundation needed for a great
Being vulnerable is not easy at all. None of us likes to parade our weaknesses. People know we are not perfect, it is a fact of life. We have to get to the point where we can admit to ourselves that we are not perfect. We need others to make us better. What area(s) do each of us need to work on to become more trustworthy, becoming a person of deeper integrity?
ILLUSTRATION
In 2001 George O’Leary former coach of Georgia Tech received and accepte an offer for what he called his dream job – head coach for the University of Notre Dame. But he had a problem. Years before a resume was created by him that did not match his experiences. His resume claimed he had a degree which he had not earned and college playing experience that he did not possess. When Notre Dame officials learned of these discrepancies, George O’Leary lost his job, credibility and influence. Kevin White, Notre Dame athletic director said, “I understand that these inaccuracies represent a very human failing; nonetheless, they constitute a breach of trust that makes it impossible for us to go forward with our relationship.”
THINKING FOR A CHANGE, John Maxwell
QUOTES
“People will tolerate honest mistakes, but if violate their trust you will find it very difficult to ever regain their confidence. That is one reason that you need to treat trust as your most precious asset. You may fool your boss but you can never fool your colleagues or subordinates” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Craig Weatherup
“Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and leaders together.” Warren Bennis and Bert Nanus
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved” Scottish poet George MacDonald
“Integrity is the basis of trust, which is not so much an ingredient of leadership as it is a product. It is the one quality that cannot be acquired, but must be earned. It is given by coworkers and followers, and without it, the leader can’t function.” ON BECOMING A LEADER, Warren Bennis
“Effective leaders ensure that people feel strong and capable. In every major survey on practices of effective leaders, trust in the leader is essential if other people are going to follow that person over time. People must experience the leader as believable, credible, and trustworthy. One of the ways trust is developed- whether in the leader or any other person- is through consistency in behavior. Trust is also established when words and deeds are congruent.” Michael Winston - Motorola
