Thoughts on How to Build your TEAM, part 2

This is the second article in a series of two.

In a previous article I introduced some important criteria when choosing partners for your dream team. Here is a short recap:

• Choose people you trust
• Choose people you enjoy working with
• Choose people who challenge you
• Choose people that are hungry to learn 

This article continues the discussion how to build your dream team.

Choose partners who are coachable! No matter how skilled you and your team members are you will always encounter difficulties or need to learn something new. One of the advantages of having a team is that you can support and coach each other. This requires however, that each team member is willing to accept support, teaching and coaching from his or her team partners. Avoid people who are proud or self-sufficient in your team! Encourage giving each other feedback, and to receive it in a positive constructive spirit.

Make sure that the people you choose are true team players! There is no room for individualists in a team; everything is done for the common good. It is like a theatre play: everyone has a role to play; or like a jigsaw puzzle: every part is needed. It does not matter who did most, or who did least. The only thing that counts is the common result of the team! A true team player is unselfish, generous, loyal and without prestige. A true team player always puts the common good of the team before his or her personal gains.

It is important that the whole team moves in the same direction! This is easier if all team members share some basic interests. To begin with you should have a common goal for the team. A goal that is well defined, agreed and well known by all team members. You should also have a common view when it comes to work ethics and work methods. The level of ambition is another area where it is beneficial if the entire team has the same (high!) ambition level! If not at least the differences shall be well known and accepted throughout the team. The amount of time spent working should also be equal or, if not, the differences had better be known and accepted.

If you manage to put together a team where all team members fulfill teh requirements stated in this and a previous article; well CONGRATULATIONS  you have a dream team! A team where each member contributes fully to the common work result. A team where the team result is better than the sum of the results accomplished by each member individually. A team that is unstoppable in reaching team goals, a team that can make magic and where all the team members have fun while working together!

In a following article I will introduce a discussion how to create and maintain a high motivation and a powerful spirit in your team.

Remember that you become like the people that surround you.

Good Luck with your team building!