The Piston of the Teamwork Engine

Teamwork is about everyone being equal. Every player on a team should be considered as equal by basketball other players, supervisors, and most importantly in their own eyes. Obviously talent differs from individual to individual and some team members may have outstanding talent in one area while another has talent in yet another area. However when the final score is posted, the score is a result of ALL team members.

Hockey maintains who got the go-ahead goal, baseball counts up how many go-ahead runs each player scored or batted-in, basketball maintains who sank the most winning baskets, and football tallies who scored the most winning touchdowns in their career. All of these statistics fail to see or acknowledge the impact of the team. The go-ahead goal would not have basketball accredited to that player unless the others scoring earlier had also scored. Nor would it have maintained such recognition had the defense not kept the score in check.

The Detroit Pistons have won several National Basketball League championships in years where they had no superstar. Their championship teams were those when the entire team recognized the group effort and each contributed beyond their own ability (at least what they thought was their ability). Proof comes in the form of Allen Iverson, the superstar acquired early in this season. Iverson has the demeanor an attitude of someone that is NOT a team player. He feels he is better than the rest of the team. He has helped drive the team to fall below 500 for the first time in most people's memories.

When you build your teams you certainly need to strive for the best individual talent you can find. However do not forget that each member of the team must also excel in another area of talent - a talent of humility. Humility is the piston that makes the engine of teamwork run.

Rick Weaver is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain enhancement, project management, team building, and process improvement. He has founded Max Impact (http://www.getmaximpact.com), a leadership and business strategy development company, and MBC Global (http://www.mbcglobal.org), a global commerce and education organization. Rick has also written "Life's Leadership Lessons", a blend of real-life stories where people, events, and things have provided insight into outstanding leadership.