The key component of a winning team
In the context of business, as well as our own personal lives, it is wise to take stock occasionally to assess how one is doing. Inevitably, there are some things that are going well, and others not so. The simple strategy for the things that are going well is, keep doing the same. For the things that aren't, the strategy would be to rethink and change a thing or two. That's the jist of mindset shift.
Habits play a key role in cementing our mindsets and determining our repetitive behaviours. It is therefore important to understand how they work and why we have them. This may lead to an understanding of how to alter habits in order to enhance performance - applicable to individuals and teams.
The way we organise ourselves in society is in groupings. What is the factor that most determines the success of a group of people - or a team? The answer abounds in many areas of life, but sport is a graphic way of illustrating the point.
The England rugby team of 2003 won the world cup that year, not because they had the best players, but because they were the best team. They also had the best coach. The margin was only one drop kick. Quite a feat considering that the Australians had perhaps the best collection of individual players in the tournament that year - and were defending champions. So, the key factors? Teamwork and Leadership.
Four years later in 2007 we had a replay. Same story. South Africa was easily the most cohesive team in the tournament, with the best coach, playing against the defending champions. The only difference from 2003 was that SA also had better players which would explain the bigger margin of victory. But neither team had the best collection of players in the world - that honour belonged once again to losing quarter finalists New Zealand. But then why didn't they win? Good question.
The dominant cricket team of the past decade, Australia have the same formula. They are an awesome team, and they play for one another. There's a story that it may be tough to get in to the Aussie cricket team, but it's even tougher getting out of it!
If you've ever tried training for a marathon on your own, you'll know it's very tough. Especially getting up early most mornings. But having a friend or a group to run with regularly changes the entire experience. So what is that key component?
The key component of a winning team can be found on the playground of any school. If you ask any child whether or not they are happy at school, their answer will not hinge on whether or not the teachers are pleasant. It will have everything to do with whether they have managed to become integrated in to a group of friends. Generally speaking, your more stable children tend to be involved in sport and extra mural activities - places where they create identities for themselves, places where they can belong.
The evidence is clear. The performance of an individual in a team is directly related to their sense of belonging and the security of having a clearly defined role in that team. By integrating an individual in to your team you create that sense of commitment, identity and belonging. The feeling of being a welcome part of a group brings enjoyment and purpose to one's work and soon leads to almost blinding loyalty. In all the teams I have mentioned above, the individuals went out on to the field each time to do it for their mates. As soon as you have every single member of that team performing optimally and enjoying a sense of integration, your team becomes unstoppable
If your team isn't performing as a team should, either you have the wrong people (can't do it), or there are identity issues (feel disconnected), or they don't know how to do it (training issue). Where people enjoy a sense of belonging, the team takes care of all these issues automatically and seemlessly.
That's a Mindset Shift.
Paul du Toit
Professional Speaker, Mindset Shifter,
