Team building is not the aim!

Effective teamwork is powerful. We have all seen great sports teams and organizations rise above not because of their individual skills but their ability to align those skills in a direction that is superior to their opponent. Effective teamwork, however, does not come from 'team building'.

In studying the essentials of producing great teams we, have found that great teams do not focus on team building, they focus on individual building...together.

There is a difference.

A focus on team building usually results in a temporary "feel good" but lacks the individual accountability necessary for synergistic results. A commitment to individual building...together creates longer, more sustainable results.

What does this mean? It means that The Chicago Bulls or the Pittsburgh Steelers don't do 'Team building'. They practice the skills that are required for them to be successful...together. That is, each person has a motivation to be their best AND to leverage the best from each other.

Team building is a by-product of 'practicing' on and off the field.

So what do we need to practice?

Achieving great results collectively requires each individual to assess critical skills and then practice like hell. Work out harder on free throws, or tune up your own listening skills, work out harder on self confidence, trust or respect. It is about bringing the whole player to the field.