Teams are made up of different people, different talents, different ages, different opinions, different political views, different beliefs about life, love and friendship. With all of these differing opinions and beliefs how is it remotely possible to move a group of people toward a common vision? Well, it “aint” easy, but it is possible.
Below are three characteristics healthy teams seem to have as part of their culture.
1. Team Members See Eye to Eye
Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family. Proverbs 18:24 CEV
While teams are made up up different people with different perspectives they have the ability to set aside their own individual agendas for the vision and mission the team has corporately.
Each team member is responsible for their best which contributes to the overall success of the team. If one team member is “shallowing” in their potential as a team member the leader may need to have a conversation so everyone is on the same page.
For example, urban legend suggests that during World War II, a plant of parachute packers achieved notoriety because their parachutes opened only 19 of 20 times. That's an average of 95%, and that will get you an 'A' in school-but when you're jumping out of plane 95% doesn’t seem to “get the job done.” The leader of the team developed a strategy to increase reliability. He required the packers to test the parachutes themselves. It wasn't long until quality rose to 100 percent.
2. Team Members Stand Back to Back
You may have heard the expression, “I got your back.” Healthy team members have each others’ back. Not only do they get more done, “Two people are better than one. They get more done by working together.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 ICB, they are stronger together as well, “Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 GW
@@Two people are better than one. They get more done by working together. Ecclesiastes 4:9@@
3. Team Members Walk Hand in Hand
Jon Katzenbach & Douglas K. Smith in their book, The Wisdom Of Teams gives this definition of a team. “A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.”
Regardless of the differences some individuals may have the team moves together hand in hand. They can set aside their own agenda for the betterment and productivity of the team.
"So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body." Ephesians 4:25 GW
Eye to eye, back to back and hand in hand. If you have ever seen a team with these characteristics you have seen what “together” can do not to mention the fun they have while doing it.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Hans Dorries http://bit.ly/2u2kpJe