Build a Winning Team
January 12th, 2009 Posted in Newsletter“You win in the locker room first. Then you win on the field.”
This is a message I’ll be sharing as I speak to the US Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore this coming Friday. It’s also a message I share with as many leaders as possible, although with a little different wording. I often say that “You win in the building first. Then you win in the market place.”
Whether we’re talking sports, business, education, healthcare, etc. the key to success is to build a winning team first. Of course this seems obvious but with increasing pressure to reach certain targets and goals and a challenging economy it’s easy for leaders and their teams to become outward focused on numbers and outcomes rather than inward focused on building the right environment, culture, attitude and synergy.
We must remember that it’s not the numbers that drive the people but the people and team that drive the numbers. The power comes from the inside and then it extends outward. Just as physical trainers will tell you that to build a strong body you must build your core, to build a strong organization you must build your core foundation-consisting of your people and team. Without a strong core you’ll have weak energy, weak performance and weak results.
Now more than ever it’s time to energize your people, communicate with them, invite them “on the bus” and move them in the right direction with a shared vision, focus and purpose. Negativity and fear are knocking your people off balance. It’s time to regroup, refocus, reenergize and create a strong core. With a solid foundation and a winning team you create strength on the inside that can withstand the negativity, naysayers and adversity on the outside.
I saw this happen first hand with Atlanta Falcons this year. Coach Mike Smith built a winning team by making the team culture, attitude and synergy his priority. I was honored that he had me speak to the team during training camp and used The Energy Bus (all the players and coaches read the book) as a tool to create the team’s culture.
I also see it in schools and businesses every week. Just this past week I was speaking to Express Dental, a company in Tampa, FL that has experienced 40% growth in 2008 and is already growing in 2009. Yes in this economy. I spoke to them last year and afterward they let their “energy vampires” off the bus, hired a bunch of new and positive people, relentlessly focused on their culture and built a winning team. They are enjoying the fruit because they have focused on the root. You can do the same.
There are many recipes for building a winning team. The important thing is to implement one and make building a positive culture and a winning team your top priority.
What is your recipe for building a winning team? Join the conversation here.
Stay Positive,
-Jon
Join me for a free world-wide teleseminar on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Click for details.
Ways to Build a Winning Team
1. Host an onsite workshop with one of our world class facilitators and trainers. Click Here.
2. Have Jon deliver a keynote at your annual or regional meeting and conference. Click Here.
3. Order copies of The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule for your team.
4. Download free discussion guides to apply The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule principles with your team at work. Download here.
Tags: atlanta falcons, build a winning team, jon gordon, Leadership, positive, success
9 Responses to “Build a Winning Team”
By Carrie Sperlunto on Jan 12, 2009
Now more than ever it’s imperative to build a winning team. One of my endeavors is an Italian restaurant. I work in the restaurant along with my son, my sister, and a friend. My son & my sister have consumer attitudes and my friend & I have business attitudes. This means my son & my sister would gladly give away everything because to them “more is better” while my friend and I are endeavoring to institute & practice portion control & cost effectiveness. Because my friend & I believe in portion control & cost effectiveness does not imply that we do not give value. We all believe in giving the customer value. The difference lies in perception. And the problem is aligning everyone’s perception. I haven’t solved this problem, but I am diligently working on it. Any ideas? For us to be a winning team, we all need to be on the same page.
By Scott on Jan 12, 2009
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By Lionel Wolfe on Jan 12, 2009
As a former hockey, wrestling coach of 30 years I also used the E,s. Our role is:Be EAGER to EDUCATE and EXPLAINyour program. Be EFFICIENT with good planning. ENCOURAGE,EMPOWERan ENABLE your athletes. EXUDE positive ENERGY. Build self ESTEEM, ERADICATE negativity and ENJOY the athletes. Inthe END you should be ELATED and EXHAUSTED. EVALUATE year end and revise as necessary
By Brian on Jan 12, 2009
I hire slowly. When I do hire, I make sure they are at least as fired up and enthusiastic as me, preferably more. Then I work hard to keep them happy. If they are enthusiastic and happy, so are my customers. And, most importantly, I love going to work everyday.
Brian
By Lloyd on Jan 12, 2009
I work in a call center and lead a team of customer service professionals. For me building a winning team begins foremost with developing meaningful relationships with everyone on my team. I think this must begin with developing a culture of transparency, trust and expectency. I work toward infusing a deep sense of ownership toward the success of the team and organization. Accountability play a big role. I also find that it is important to instill a sense of Potentiality and Purpose.
By Marsha Keeffer on Jan 13, 2009
Excellent post - and this is exactly why it’s important to focus on employees. When the team is tight and treated with respect, they’ll work hard to get customers and keep them happy.
By Chris Stafford on Jan 21, 2009
I used to work for the automotive accessories company. While I was there I had an opportunity with our human resources department to create our own core values in the company. Working towards being positive as a step in the right direction but remember these core values with others.
Respect everyone
Listens sincerely
Foster and link team member talents
Build trust
Be a unselfish leader
Take risks
Living by these core values creates amazing team dynamics, so amazing when I left I wasn’t sad about my job I was sad about leaving the team.
By Michelle Hill on Apr 28, 2009
I am a solopreneur and even though it’s just me, I believe in the power of building a great team. The same principles apply to building a great referral team: A graphic artist, a web designer, a printer, or whatever other team members are needed. I want a strong team to be referred by and whom I can refer others to.
Your article was great and it fits well with my company name, Winning Proof.