After moving to Vancouver several years ago, I joined a Dragon Boat corporate team. At that point I wanted to find a way to get in shape after being in the office all day and I wanted to be in the water. It was an incredible activity in which I developed a number of great friendships that I have today, long after the team disbanded.
The books and articles on teambuilding are endless. But it was Dragon Boating that provided me with a simple yet moving metaphor for the experience of building and maintaining a high-performing team. I reflected on how my team evolved from a group of people interested in Dragon Boating to a cohesive competitive team where each team member understood how to leverage their strengths and minimize their weaknesses, their fit in the group, and how to better contribute to the team’s performance in general. It was an extraordinary experience. And it was fun.
As you read my 10 points, I want you to reflect on your current team. Is any item missing? What difference would it make if the success factor were present on your team? Would you help your team reach its potential? In my experience there are very few teams that achieve high performance.
Accelerate the path to success
I often work with people who want to increase the performance of their team. If you are part of a team, why not be the best team you can and produce exceptional results for your organization? How do we get there? What we need to do?
The following article points out what my experience has shown me to be some of the critical success factors. For those of you who are Dragon Boat, my comments may sound familiar. For those who don’t, I hope the fun metaphor gets you seriously reflecting on your team’s performance.
Number 1: time and technique are more critical than power and strength.
In many sports, individual performance, strength, agility, etc. they are the focus of attention. The first skill the coach worked on with us was getting the whole team to row in time with the same technique. It is surprising that a team with less brute force can surpass a stronger ship only in time. This is the
1 + 1 is> 2 principle in action. This does not mean that individualism is lost, but that individualism serves the overall purpose of the team. Otherwise, you are a group of individual contributors in a workgroup, but not a team. When all the paddles hit on time, the boat moves faster than the boat with stronger rowers not on time; using their energy against each other instead of focusing on their timing and technique.
Attention in ensuring that team members work toward the same goal. All team members should be able to tell you how they contribute to the team’s purpose and goals.
Number 2: there is no replacement for a talented pilot
With a good helmsman, whom the team trusts, each paddler frees himself to concentrate on his work. They are not worried about other ships, which way this ship is going, how the ship will sail in the wake, etc. In fact, the helmsman’s real job, beyond the technical ability to steer the boat, is to instill confidence in the rowers. The team does not waste energy distracted by problems that it cannot solve but by achieving the team’s objectives.
Attention in team leadership that enables team members to perform their duties knowing that ‘things’ are being taken care of.
Number 3: One person out of time can cost the entire team the race.
This sounds the reverse of number one. Is it about what happens when even one person behaves in a way that compromises team performance? This is where the driver and the coach come in. Often times, the individual is unaware that their performance is putting the performance of the team at risk. It is rarely about the will or even the ability to perform, but rather an understanding of the impact of your performance. Feedback is critical to ensure team members move forward together.
Attention in providing data-driven performance feedback to the team, including the impact of current performance both positive and corrective. Team members should get objective feedback on their performance and what to plan for corrective actions to improve.
Number 4: You train long and hard for a short, intense race.
Plans mean nothing if the team can’t achieve its goal. Teams work hard, often on long-term projects, but realize that the measure of the value of the work is in the implementation. Results are the measure of a team’s success.
Attention in the ability to achieve exceptional results.
Number 5: There is no “baggage” on the ship; everyone contributes
Wow, we all have bad days, but guess what, the team deserves the best even on those days. We all cover ourselves when necessary, but everyone contributes.
Attention in helping team members understand their contribution and looking for opportunities to apply their strengths more often.
Number 6: Treat other teams with respect, but don’t get distracted.
In the heat of a race, it’s easy to figure out where the other teams are in the race and get distracted. But you can only control what happens on your ship, not theirs. There is nothing you can do about what happens on your boat. You have full control over what you do on your boat. A team with a strong start may not have the stamina to complete the race by continuing with their opening speed. Focus your attention on your purpose and the results.
Attention on what the team can achieve with the resources it has.
Number 7: there is always more to learn
No matter what your role is or how long you’ve been on the team, or how many races you’ve participated in, there are always things to learn. No matter how good you are, you can always be better. The coach moved us to different positions so we could learn new skills and perspectives.
Attention in ensuring that all team members are actively learning all the time.
Number 8: Lead rowers (strokes) set the pace
There is an incredible benefit of all team members working together to achieve the same goal. Team leaders set the direction, provide visible support for team values, and hold themselves and others accountable for team performance. Everyone is responsible for being on time with the hits. It is not your business, but mine, to observe and pay attention. Remember, a person out of time can cost a race.
Attention about leaders who hold themselves and others accountable for success.
Number 9: You row as hard on a bad day as you do on a good day.
A manager friend of mine told her employees after being questioned about the lack of loyalty in the organization: “I don’t want your loyalty, I want your commitment.” It is important that each member of the team is fully present at all times, whether in practice or in competition.
Attention each individual on the team performing at their best every day.
Number 10: teams win and teams lose, not individuals
In Dragon Boating, teams win, not individuals. The whole boat crosses the finish line or not. The people in the front of the boat or the helmsman do not get more “victories” than the others. The team wins or the team loses. We are all a team.
Attention in being a whole team. Individual skills, style, experience and knowledge contribute to team work. At the end of the day, we are all a team that achieves results or not.
By making sure these top 10 success factors are in place, you can build your team’s effectiveness. We hope these 10 Success Factors have helped you reflect on the factors that must be considered and planned for for a highly effective, high-performing team.
No Comment