5 Lessons and 5 Takeaways for the BEST performing teams

Gregg Popovich has won more NBA games than any other coach. Gregg led San Antonio Spurs to 5 championships between 1998-2014 and also coached Team USA to a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games. He is the NBA's all-time winningest coach, crediting his?Air Force?service for helping him succeed in the role. The president and head basketball coach for the San Antonio Spurs is known as one of the best coaches of his generation. His team members say?he is a top communicator who understands them, empowers them, and creates a culture of selflessness that benefits everyone. He says basketball is a only a game and that his legacy is food and wine, but he is much more than just basketball, food and wine, he is an architect of winning franchises, who's lessons should be followed!

So what are 5 of the key themes that Gregg promotes?

1. Foster Open Communication: Encourage a culture of open and honest communication within your team or organization. Create an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their opinions, ideas, and concerns. Actively listen to your team members and value their perspectives.
2. Emphasize Trust and Empowerment: Build trust with your team by empowering them to take ownership of their work and decisions. Delegate responsibilities and provide support and guidance when needed. Trusting your team members' abilities and giving them autonomy can foster a sense of ownership and enhance overall performance.
3. Prioritize Continuous Learning: Promote a growth mindset within your team. Encourage ongoing learning and development by providing opportunities for training, skill-building, and knowledge sharing. Emphasize the value of learning from both successes and failures, and encourage a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement.
4. Lead by Example: Set a positive example through your actions and behaviors. Display integrity, humility, and a strong work ethic. Show appreciation for the efforts and contributions of your team members. Leading by example inspires others and creates a culture of excellence.
5. Build Relationships and Team Cohesion: Foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among team members. Encourage team-building activities, regular meetings, and opportunities for social interaction. Invest time in getting to know your team members individually, understanding their strengths, and fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

What are the key lessons? Reference: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

1. The key for team performance is not so much the skills of individual players, but the quality of the interactions between them.

A great team is not one where every person just gives their best, but where every person gives their best to others.

2. There are 3 common ingredients to the best team cultures.

1?? They build safety

2?? They share vulnerabilities

3?? They establish a purpose

Turns out, people like to people feel safe, appreciated, and with a clear purpose to strive for.

3. Leaders create the conditions for their teams to perform at their best.

It's a privilege for leaders and 100% of their job description. They:

1?? Provide the tools your team needs

2?? Foster the relationships in your team

3?? Make people feel safe, engaged and willing

4. Building safety is a continuous process. Ongoing relationships need ongoing care.

Everything you do must be always communicating these 4 values:

1?? We are close

2?? We have each other's backs

3?? We are safe

4?? We share a future

What are 5 things you can start doing in your business or work immediately that incorporate these themes and lessons?

1. Daily Team Huddles: Start each day with a short team huddle or stand-up meeting. Keep it concise and focused, allowing team members to share their top priorities for the day, discuss any challenges or roadblocks, and align on key tasks or projects. This promotes communication, accountability, and alignment within the team.

2. One-Minute Praise: Take a moment each day to recognize and appreciate the efforts of team members. Whether it's a quick email, a handwritten note, or a public acknowledgement during a meeting, expressing gratitude and praise for their contributions boosts morale and reinforces positive behaviors.

3. Weekly Goal Setting: Set aside time each week to review and set goals for the upcoming week. Encourage team members to identify their most important tasks or projects and outline specific actions and deadlines. This promotes focus, clarity, and progress towards important objectives.

-> Try Brian Tracy's "Eat That Frog" method:

• Identify and tackle your most challenging and important task first thing each day or week, creating momentum and a sense of accomplishment.
• By prioritizing and completing your biggest tasks early on, you build momentum and make progress on important goals, setting a positive tone for the rest of the week.

4. Task Prioritization: Teach the Eisenhower Matrix, popularized by Stephen Covey, to help team members prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Have them categorize their tasks into four quadrants. This simple visual tool helps improve productivity and focus on high-value activities.

5. Feedback Loops: Encourage a culture of regular feedback and continuous improvement. Implement a system where team members provide constructive feedback to one another, whether through anonymous surveys, peer evaluations, or scheduled feedback sessions. This fosters growth, collaboration, and helps identify areas for development. As a leader, here are 3 questions to ask:

-> A) What is 1 thing I currently do that I should continue?

-> B) What is 1 thing I don't do frequently enough that I can do more often?

-> C) What can I do now to make you more effective?

Reference: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

These specific examples provide actionable and memorable tasks that can be easily implemented within teams or organizations. Remember to adapt and tailor these activities based on your specific context and the needs of your audience. One key takeaway from Gregg, is he always filled his team's cups!