Why the Right Attitude Builds Super Teams

Why the Right Attitude Builds Super TeamsBuilding a super team in the workplace (compared to a very average team) comes down to having (or not having): (1) talented employees with (2) the right attitude. Both characteristics are important but I’ll take the right attitude over talent any day. The right attitude builds super teams!

To use a metaphor that goes back to the day of coaching select players on super-teams in the world of youth baseball, we had the best team strengthening conversations after each practice and game. They usually lasted less than 10 minutes but I believe them to be most important 10 minutes we could ever spend as a team. By the way, these players and teams later competed in Cooperstown, NY and the Little League World Series.

Our format was always the same: First, the players would take turns talking about what they saw another teammate do either during the practice or game that was exceptional or noteworthy. No player was allowed to talk about themselves. Second, each player was given opportunity to point out one thing they could have done better and will commit to, so that they can improve the next time…

So what were the outcomes of these meetings? First, players offered personal observations about why their teammates and team were awesome. This part of the meeting couldn’t help but pump up the team and reinforce positive behaviors. Second, each player owned up to what they could control and do to become a better player and teammate. This brought accountability and exposed each individual’s desire and commitment to help the team succeed at the next game or tournament competition.

The desire to compete and win, be part of a team and get better each day applies in both sports and business. In the business world, sharing publicly when employees truly appreciate their co-workers achievements and success is extremely powerful. Building a culture of trust where employees openly can talk about what they will do to get better creates a dynamic where the greatest fear for an employee is not letting themselves down, but instead letting their teammates down, is a powerful element of team building. Heck, ask the Navy SEALS about how this culture builds super-teams.

The photo above provides a telling story. You want employees that have the strength, persistence and desire to be a great teammate. This job is not for everyone. However, this is exactly what part of the job description should be for your employees, if you want to compete and win in the game of business.

Free Offer:

Get Your Game Changing Book Today:

If you are a small business owner or leader, discover key principles and specific sequence which accelerated building five profitable companies and why I believe this information can be helpful to you too:  earlbell.com/win

2 Comments

  • James Murray

    August 14, 2014

    Earle,

    Great article. Don’t know thought that I could get through a Navy Seal team training exercise?

    Your article was timely, I’ve been reading about teams, trying to understand what makes them solid and strong. I suspect trust, commitment, communication and self awareness of the leader is in alignment with what you are saying.

    Timely for me,

    Thanks,
    James

    • Earl Bell

      August 14, 2014

      Very welcome James. Building an intentional company culture that attracts “the right kind of employees” is also something to be thinking about. When you do this, assembling and developing a winning team (with the right attitude) becomes much easier!