***This article is inspired by chapter 7 of John C. Maxwell’s book “Developing the Leaders Around You” – “The Leader’s Highest Return: Forming a Dream Team of Leaders” ***
In 1992, the USA sent its first-ever basketball team made up of active professional NBA players to compete for the Summer Olympics gold medal in Barcelona, Spain. It was nicknamed the “Dream Team” as the roster was stacked with the best talent in the world at the time. In case you don’t remember who played in these games, look at this world-class roster above.
This team changed the face of how the USA performed in future Olympics and caused other nations to improve their rosters to compete at the highest level. That’s what a Dream Team can do. It forces everyone to become better.
Would you like a dream team of leaders to carry your organization into the future?
Most leaders shout a resounding “Yes!”
Who wouldn’t want that?
However, not all leaders know how to develop or compile such a team. And not every team with superstar talent make up a dream team just by showing up. It takes intentional effort and the members must carry themselves in a way that works well together.
Consider John C. Maxwell’s 10 qualities of a Dream Team:
1 – The team members care for one another.
Teams that achieve the greatest success cannot be at odds with one another. They must care about one another’s interests personally and professionally. Caring means that each person is looking out for each other through the ups and downs of the journey to success.
2 – The team members know what is important.
A common goal or vision is critical for a team to reach its highest level of success. The leader must take responsibility for casting vision and making sure each member is clear about it. When they know what is important, they can then advance in the same direction toward the common goal.
3 – The team members communicate with one another.
Communication is one of the greatest challenges of any team or organization. In fact, it’s been said that the greatest illusion in communication is the assumption that it has happened well. In order to achieve the highest levels of success, team members must commit to communicating clearly with one another and make sure what is important has been heard.
4 – The team members grow together.
Achieving success is a journey filled with many ups and downs. As the team travels together toward their goals, they must be committed to growing together. They must focus on their personal development, as well as, their team development. A dream team looks much different and better at the end of the journey than when they began.
5 – There is a team fit.
Chemistry matters so much that it trumps vision. A dysfunctional team with a great vision is rarely successful. A team with great chemistry can passionately pursue a vision as each member contributes to their fullest potential while keeping the team’s overall goals in mind.
6 – The team members place their individual rights beneath the best interest of the team.
There is no room for selfishness on a dream team. While individuals may have more experience and personal success than others, they cannot demand or assume they have more rights than other members. Dream teams are made up of highly talented members who set their selfish motives and rights aside for the sake of the team’s overall success.
7 – Each team member plays a special role.
Everyone on a dream team has a unique role to play. Some of the greatest teams throughout history have unsung heroes who played their parts well while not getting the attention they deserve. However, the rest of the team values their contribution as much as the so-called “stars” of the team who were thrust into the spotlight. When everyone understands their unique role and does what they can to contribute, the team can achieve incredible success.
8 – An effective team has a good bench.
There are “starters” on all teams, but winning the long-game demands a strong bench of back-up players who perform their unique roles when called upon. While the bench players may not receive notoriety like the starters, their contribution is critically important and their fellow members value what they do for the success of the team.
9 – The team members know exactly where the team stands.
Regardless of the team vision and goals, a scoreboard that measures progress is vital for a dream team to succeed. Whether it’s a sports scoreboard with a clock and points or a business dashboard showing key performance indicators (KPI’s), the team must know the current reality of where they stand if they are going to keep moving forward and achieve the highest levels of success.
10 – The team members are willing to pay the price.
All dream teams that become champions understand that sacrifice is required. Whether it’s long hours working on projects or more drills on the practice field, members are willing to pay the price. It’s been said that champions are made in the dark, but revealed under the spotlights. Dream team members understand this and do what it takes to pay the price for the team’s success.
As you can see, dream teams require important qualities to succeed at the highest levels. In sports, there is one winner crowned at the end of each season. In most cases, the championship teams have lived out these qualities while others didn’t. The others came up short while the champions continued to work together to achieve their vision and goals. In business, there may be no season-ending trophies given out, but there are market share and industry impact that an organization can go after. There are annual revenue and profit margin goals to pursue.
You can build a dream team for your organization if you develop and equip your team members well and make sure that they have these 10 critical qualities listed above.
Are you ready to pursue greatness by building a dream team?
You can do it. I believe in you!
Until next time…make today GREAT!
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