With summer fading away and miles ahead of us on the ride home from our annual road trip, our family conversations turned to anticipations for the school year ahead. In true fashion, my son (12, going on NFL running back), started getting amped up for flag-football.

"What are you most excited about?" I asked him.

"I just hope we have a great team this year." he said (not knowing that this was a complete set up for his dear-ol-dad).

So I asked him - "What makes a great team great?"

After a sideways glance that said to me "I should have known," he thought for a few seconds and said:

“Well, first, we want to win, so we need strong players... But I don’t want it to be, like, everyone gets mad if we mess up, you know? … And, I want the coach to make it fun.”

From the mouths of babes! Isn't this a great list? Of course, I feel the need to break it down a bit and call out how Leaders can foster these attributes in any team. Here goes:

Strong players

We want to work with capable people who complement our styles and strengths (and gaps); we want to feel like we're on a winning team with people who share our passion and enthusiasm.

How a leader can make a difference:

Selection - Knowing what the team needs to enhance overall performance can help leaders find the right talent and address gaps on the team.
Feedback & Development - That being said, you don't always get to choose your team. And even those you do select aren't going to be perfect. Giving good feedback and targeted development (for individuals as well as the team as a whole) improves performance while enhancing engagement and retention.

Psychological Safety

Striving to be our best requires us to step out of our comfort zones. We all make mistakes. A great team pushes members to be better, while leaving room for learning and growth.

How a leader can make a difference:

Going First - A leader's vulnerability sets the tone for the team. It's important to demonstrate openness to stepping out of your comfort zone, learning, and making mistakes. We want to model, and instill, a Growth Mindset.
Rewarding Discomfort - Acknowledging people for trying something new can go a long way. Let people know it's not only OK but expected, celebrated, and rewarded to stretch and learn.

Having Fun

We all want to enjoy our time at work (or on the field). And, that can be hard to do when a team isn’t working well together. Putting in the work to make sure you have smooth operations and strong team dynamics sets the stage for enjoyment and high performance.

How a leader can make a difference:

Alignment - Is our team clear on its goals? Do we know what good looks like? High performing teams are aligned on what needs to be accomplished, why it’s important, and what success looks like. If the target isn't clear, how will you hit it?
Role Clarity - When we all know our roles, how we fit into the greater overall picture, and when and how to support our teammates, the team runs more smoothly and effectively.

What do you think - what would you add or change? I believe these "traits of a great team" are possible in every team, that these desires are universal. Sometimes we just need a 12-year-old to remind us about the basics and make us think; plus a little intentionality and commitment from leaders to bring it all together.

More Perspectives: