Building Big Teams the Patriot Way

In my day-to-day, I work to deliver major projects that can’t solely be handled by the unit I lead. I often depend on others who don’t report to me. So what motivates those colleagues to do what I need? Why do busy people, balancing multiple priorities, go to the wall for the guy down the hall? Buy-in is key. To succeed, big teams need a collective vision. That’s as true in business as it is on the football field.??

“There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that.”??

– Bill Belichick, head coach, New England Patriots?

Football teams are large. Not only is there a roster of 53 players, but there’s also a practice squad learning plays and providing organizational depth. There are specialized units – offense, defense, and special teams – and distinct roles within each ‘department.’ What makes football particularly comparable to corporate structures is that not everyone on the team works directly together. Kickers and quarterbacks are never on the field at the same time. But even defensive linemen and defensive backs, who do play together, have different coaches.??

The game’s interrelationships are difficult to master. I find it fascinating that every football player’s performance affects everyone else, even if they don’t often play with their teammates. Which means that winning at football, and doing so consistently, isn’t just about having a few great individual stars. You need to get a lot of people to deliver, all the time. It’s about good systems, culture, and organization. How do you make that happen??

“I believe to have a championship team you want to have a championship team in every area, whether that’s your starting quarterback, your strength coach, your medical staff, your area scouts, whatever it happens to be. We’re trying to work at a championship level of performance in every one of those areas.”??

– Bill Belichick?

I’ve got to say it’s great being a New England Patriots fan. What’s not to like about six Super Bowl titles within seventeen years? The icing on the cake, though, was The Patriot Way. The team’s philosophy shows clearly how big teams win by fostering a lasting organizational culture.?I think it boils down to three main parts:?

• Emphasis on the group and lack of individual ego: Tom Brady was unquestionably a star, but he was so valuable precisely because, as one teammate said, he led by example and was “not selfish, doing what’s best for the team, putting the team’s goals in front of your own personal goals.” ?
• High work ethic: Belichick, his staff, and players were relentless about detailed preparation. There were no shortcuts to their success. They took nothing for granted and built the foundation brick by brick every season.?
• Flexible approaches: The Patriots valued and sought out versatile players and would continually develop new strategies to target their opponents’ weaknesses. This meant they could come at you – and beat you – in a variety of ways.??

“It’s not all about talent. It’s about dependability, consistency, and being able to improve.”??

– Bill Belichick?

The Patriot Way is a tough act to follow. And I don’t think their precise formula is going to work for every corporation, every time. But the point is that big teams need a philosophy that everyone believes in, from star quarterback to rookie reserve lineman. As a lifelong fan, I’ve aspired to emulate their methods in my own working life at NetApp. Since FlexPod started in 2010, it has evolved to help businesses efficiently improve their operations and successfully drive innovation. I’m proud that the creation of FlexPod XCS shows a lot of those Patriot traits:?

• Vision set from the top, with buy-in from the entire team.??
• An intensely cross-functional effort. From marketing to engineering to project management, every department at NetApp has an impact. No product or service can succeed in the marketplace without employees caring about how they affect others on the team.?
• Flexibility is in the name, after all. FlexPod XCS itself is designed to make enterprises nimbler and more integrated, leading to better performance.??

?“I think a number of things that were strengths then are strengths now; I just think they are stronger.”??

– Bill Belichick