Teamwork

Teamwork is a funny thing. We all talk about it but do we really understand it? Some claim to foster teamwork in their training and culture but patently do not understand it.

There is an importance to teamwork as the following may prove.

I played football; big surprise to those that know me. I played centre and guard on the line in a so-called low skill position. You see, traditionally those that carry the ball and play behind the line are considered 'skill' players. We had a quarterback who by virtue of his position had a very high opinion of his abilities and was free to share his views. There was a wee problem though... every play is designed to take a set amount of time; usually pass plays are 4 seconds to 6 max. He took 8 to 10 on almost every play.

Picture in your mind two behemoths of equal size and ability attacking each other using their full potential for 4-6 seconds; now double it. The energy outlay and frustration were palpable on the O-Line. I was his centre and happened to be the Line and Team Captain and we had had enough of the posturing and intentional abuse he heaped upon us. His swagger became tiresome, his bravado affected team morale and he was highly successful. We were winning though, so the coaching staff turned a blind eye.

With the game well in hand the entire line activated an earlier agreed on plan. Over the ball we informed the Defense the following play would be a Look Out! They nodded and smiled. You see, the QB's reputation was well known in the League.

The next play we came over the ball. I snapped it back and the entire O-Line stood up, turned sideways and said, "Look out." Thankfully, they only just thudded our QB.

Yes, it was worth losing the C. Yes, it was worth losing the starting job (for a day). Yes, it was worth getting a reaming by the coach. No one was hurt and a message was sent. Teamwork has a value to all parts of the organization.

IF, the Defense had not understood our plans there could have been grievous injuries.

IF, the entire O-Line had not done exactly the same thing at the same time the resultant anarchy could have created injury.

When Walter Peyton set the single season rushing record he presented custom engraved gold Rolex watches to each of his linemen. He recognized their contribution to his success. Without the 'unskilled' labour of the 'Hogs' those first 4 yards would have been impossible.

There is no such thing as an unskilled position in football. Each brings its own special abilities and knowledge and if any one part fails the team fails.

Administration, Inside Sales/Support, Service, Client Services, Development, Product Management et al have unique skill sets and abilities and all need to recognize the value of the others.

Accessing their knowledge will make your job easier.

Treating their skill with respect will give them the ability to help you.

Keeping your ego in check will prevent any one of them from doing a 'Look Out!' block.

There are other teams you may not even recognize for their cohesion: Pit crews, String quartets, Obstetrics, Families, Roofers, Waste collection etcetera.

Teamwork means to me that all parts have a job/position within the whole. Each has to do the best it can at every opportunity given the skills it has to not be the weakest link. Having a coach who can manage that will lead to a successful team. A successful sales team will provide service that does not enable competitors the opportunity to take them from you.

Yellow Pages has built their entire business model on the following statement: "Regardless of your best efforts you will lose 10% of your customers every year."

Taking that to heart you need to be better than your competitors to minimize that loss. A good team, well lead, will do just that.

When coaching football we took 40 different 14 year old boys with vastly different maturity and skill levels and found a way to get the best from each and form a team. That is the lot of a sales manager; to take the different personalities and skill sets and create a team that "brings home the bacon."

Once the 'bacon' is home it it the responsibility of the rest of the organization to keep it.

No one part is of more worth than any other!!!!!!

I ask myself this question every day before I go to sleep;

Did I, given my skills and abilities, do the best I could every single time?

If I can honestly answer Yes then I had a good day. If I can't then I need to check my ego at the door and become the team player I need to be. Then I can do what is best for my family, clients and employer.

Thank you.