It was spring in 1956. Bill Russell, an NBA Hall-of-Famer, was signing with the Boston Celtics of the NBA. Red Auberach, the coach looked at Bill and said, “If you focus on helping your team mates, elevating their game, finding the open man with the best shot, then I will never care how many points you make in a game, when it comes time to re-negotiate your contract. If you just focus on yourself, at the expense of your team mates, then that will change how we approach your contract. The choice is yours.”
This was the entire focus of that team. It was one of camaraderie, cooperation, sharing and respect. The older players shared information with the younger players, information that would help them with the teams they would play. They cooperated and helped each other on the floor, respected one another for what they brought to the game and respected each other as human beings. They even liked each other.
From 1957 to 1969 the Celtics won 11 NBA titles, a span of 13 years: a dynasty that has not been surpassed or even approached in the NBA. And during that span, they only let one player go.
This is a perfect example of a team culture that fosters success. The positive energy of a vision – in this case to win – combined with a personal sense of purpose by each member, wrapped in cooperation, sharing, respect and harmony.
We see examples of this in the sports world all the time, but for some reason, we find it difficult to apply these principles to our everyday lives and in our businesses. We get too focused on looking out for ourselves, trying to get our fair share, protecting our own turf, or the dynamics of politics and competition creep into the fabric of our team culture.
We spend more time judging individuals, being critical of one another, controlling and getting our own way and creating an energy that pushes people away, puts up barriers to success, and fosters negativity instead of the attractive, inspiring and imaginative feelings that come from positive interaction.
Success is amplified by the creation of a group that likes one another, that cooperates, shares responsibility, shares ideas, and understands that the success of the team means everyone wins.
Teams that approach a project with this energy can work magic. Out of this harmonious blending, the minds connect in a positive energy, and draw upon creativity, imagination, inquisitiveness, cooperation and respect. Almost anything is possible and this is how great leaders impact on the teams in their company and create success in gigantic leaps and bounds. On top of this they are fun to be part of, stimulating your thinking in addition to being very inspiring and motivating.
It is the organized knowledge of the group, expressed through intelligent effort that creates the success. The individuals in the group engage in an effort that coordinates their knowledge and energy in a spirit of harmony. Lack of this harmonious coordination of effort is one of the main reasons for practically every business failure.
It is the collective intelligence, effort, passion, and knowingness to succeed that creates success. Success is not a solo project. It needs to be shared. There’s plenty to go around. You have to work with a team that shares the same dream or objective. A team is part of your lever. It makes success quicker and easier. It’s all about synergy. There is an incredible power when people work together.
Associating with like-minded, success-oriented, joyful individuals – a Dream Team – is one of the most exhilarating feelings and an amazing tool to achieve success.
Anyone can create a dream team. Look around. Think about something you want to accomplish and then approach the people you think would make a positive contribution towards achieving that goal. Help members work together in an effort that combines their personal sense of purpose, with cooperation, sharing, respect and harmony. Then watch as your success begins to materialize. And who knows, you may begin to build a business dynasty and your business and your career will take off.
Teams are like musical groups where everyone has their own part to play, and when they master their own role, and work in harmony, the resulting collective effort is a piece of music that is magic to the ears.
Much like these four young chaps from
Ken
