Recently, I refereed a soccer game that had some of the best youth soccer players in Massachusetts. Quite interestingly, both teams had eleven players which meant there was no substitutes and the total playing time was 90 minutes. The energy of the game stayed at a consistently good level, but what made the difference was the high level amount of communication between all of the players in each team. All players were effectively coaching each other throughout the whole game and managed carrying out their role in a strategic manner. What made the game notable is the clear successes of each team displaying a high amount of teamwork that made the game reasonably competitive.
What does this show? No matter what is trying to be accomplished, we need to put the best foot forward by effectively building and managing a team. At the end of the day, we don't have the time to learn everything to do what we need to do let alone enough time to accmoplish everything that needs to get done.
How does one build an effective team?
1) Embrace everyone's strengths and weaknesses. We all have our own special talent that we can bring to the table in any team. Some of us can build relationships better than others, while others are more detail-oriented, and so forth.
2) Know the domains in which you need expertise in and seek people from those respective areas. Mapping out all of the needed expertise for a given project will allow you to be more successful as you will understand the limiting steps of your team in the process of what is trying to be achieved. Even if you need someone in a particular area of expertise for a few hours, understand that and hire someone to work as a contractor basis.
3) Build trust throughout your team. Trust is one of the most intangible assets you can have in a team as it improves communication. In many respects, teams will fall apart if everyone doesn't trust one another.
Now, how do you build trust in your team? First of all, being reliable is key. To state the obvious, one can not forget that showing up early and professional to any event although people can easily forget how important this is. Secondly, take time to listen to to your team as you will gain respect from people that work for you. If possible, appreciate your team. Small things such as a going out to lunch or dinner with your team can bring members together to improve the overall performance of a team.
What does this show? No matter what is trying to be accomplished, we need to put the best foot forward by effectively building and managing a team. At the end of the day, we don't have the time to learn everything to do what we need to do let alone enough time to accmoplish everything that needs to get done.
How does one build an effective team?
1) Embrace everyone's strengths and weaknesses. We all have our own special talent that we can bring to the table in any team. Some of us can build relationships better than others, while others are more detail-oriented, and so forth.
2) Know the domains in which you need expertise in and seek people from those respective areas. Mapping out all of the needed expertise for a given project will allow you to be more successful as you will understand the limiting steps of your team in the process of what is trying to be achieved. Even if you need someone in a particular area of expertise for a few hours, understand that and hire someone to work as a contractor basis.
3) Build trust throughout your team. Trust is one of the most intangible assets you can have in a team as it improves communication. In many respects, teams will fall apart if everyone doesn't trust one another.
Now, how do you build trust in your team? First of all, being reliable is key. To state the obvious, one can not forget that showing up early and professional to any event although people can easily forget how important this is. Secondly, take time to listen to to your team as you will gain respect from people that work for you. If possible, appreciate your team. Small things such as a going out to lunch or dinner with your team can bring members together to improve the overall performance of a team.