Bringing out the Best in a Team

14. Jun, 2010 0 Comments

My friends know I’m not a great cook, but I always enjoy hanging out with those who possess culinary flare. I have one friend in particular named Mike who has perfected the art of making a Flour-less Chocolate Cake. It has an amazing taste. I am often amazed at the science that Mike brings to mixing ingredients. He understands the strength of each one and interacts with them as if they are his best friends. Every ingredient compliments the others like a healthy team when he is in the middle of the mix.

Just like Mike knows how to bring out the best in his ingredients, a leader does the same with team members. A good team leader understands everyone’s strengths. Gifts are recognized and everyone is given the opportunity to make a significant impact. A team who accomplishes something of significance has a leader who is actively engaged in bringing out their best.

A leader brings out the best in a team when:

People are more important than the outcome
It is not difficult to recognize when people are viewed as merely a means to an end. We all want to be more than just someone who gets the job done. It is easy for a leader to get focused on the goal and lose sight of those who are working hard to make it happen. A solid team leader is careful to engage people personally by asking how they are doing, calling during tough times, and creating opportunities to hang out apart from work. Relationships must be valued above the outcome if a team is to deliver their best.
There is face-time
A team leader exists to ensure the success of everyone on the team. The best way to ensure people are successful is to serve along-side them. A team leader cannot spend the bulk of their time sitting in an office or in meetings and expect team members to be successful. Serving along side team members provides insight into existing needs and the unique challenges to overcome.
Expectations are right-sized
Everybody needs rest to deliver their best. A team leader influences the expectations of the team and must model a healthy work balance. Working 60+ hours per week creates an expectation that pressures others to do the same. It is common for a team leader to be a driven person who pushes hard to the end. But the end never comes. There will always be something else that needs to be done “right now”. A solid team leader recognizes that there will always be more to do and helps a team come together by encouraging rest.

Every ingredient has an important use and finds its full potential when it comes together with other ingredients. Like a skilled chef, a leader should be working to bring the team together to discover their full potential. Something amazing is bound to happen when a leader is committed to bringing out the best in others.

What do you think brings out the best in a team?