Today we have a guest blog from Earl Bell:Building 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.
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. What are you currently doing to create a super-team at your place of business? What can you do in the future to improve upon what you are currently doing? What is the value to your business in “getting it right?” What is the cost to your business if you “get it wrong?”
Earl Bell can be reached at [email protected] and 206-420-5946
EARL BELL
EARL BELL is the author of, Winning in Baseball and Business, Transforming Little League Principles into Major League Profits for Your Company, which provides a roadmap to success for leaders that desire to build thriving companies in a very competitive 21stcentury business environment. Earl believes that “everything you need to know about business, leadership and team building can be learned from Little League baseball.”
Earl conducts workshops, coaches and consults with owners, business leaders and their teams, teaching them how to dramatically reduce the time it takes to improve profitability, customer experience, employee engagement and company value, while simultaneously increasing discretionary time and reducing both stress/employee burnout. He believes the secret to winning in baseball, business and life can be summarized in a simple formula: Winning = Service + Humility. His motto is that Winning in Business is a Team Sport!
Earl has served in the Chief Financial Officer role for numerous companies throughout North America. His personal passion is youth sports and he has coached 28 teams since 2002. Earl is a CPA, graduated from SU (Seattle University) with a BA in Accounting and from the MILL (Mercer Island Little League) with a Master’s in Youth Baseball.
Earl Bell can be reached at [email protected] and 206-420-5946
