Key Underpinnings of Building a Successful Team

Key Underpinnings of Building a Successful Team

As a sports fan (Go Lightning! Go Bills!), I often find myself examining the dynamics of teamwork, strategy, perseverance, and personal growth within a sport. For most, being a part of a sports’ team at the highest level is nothing but a distant dream; however, the lessons of a professional athlete are transferable to each of us and can be utilize in different aspects of our lives.

When we think of top performing teams, it's easy to assume their secret sauce to winning is having the best talent. I think most would agree, success with a team roster full of star players is inevitable. Not necessarily.

Over the years, I've learned the success of a winning team is far more than just individual talent. A team made up of highly skilled individuals, (your superstars) who can’t work effectively together are ineffective and it shows. These types of teams score but they don’t win. Whereas as a team of less talented individuals who have a keen sense of collaboration and understanding of teamwork utilize the strengths of each other to not only score but win games.

The basics of a winning team start with the key underpinning qualities and the dynamics of those values. Like values and qualities must exist multidimensionally between each team member. This allows trust, work, and communication styles to organically develop and evolve. The multi-dimensional values system is a fail proof when building successful teams as it builds a foundation for team success.


As I look at all the successful teams I’ve led and continue to lead, I've found that there are 6 key qualities that when used together builds high functioning successful teams. I guess you can call it my secret sauce.

  • Trust
  • Integrity
  • Commitment
  • Teamwork
  • Execution
  • and most importantly my PEOPLE.

Creating a culture with these 6 pillars as a foundation and promoting teamwork and collaboration allows each person on the team to contribute their unique skills and perspectives and help the team WIN! Try it and watch you begin to see your team win.

Stefanie Werths

Enabling the efficient evolution of technology at Kiewit

1 年

One of the many takeaways I got from working with you is that there was never a job too small for you. You worked alongside all of us, whether it was a late night or a Sunday. We worked hard and we made big things happen — like a nationally-televised live concert at Marlins Park planned in two weeks! To-date, one of the most-epic things I’ve been a part of. You were an impactful leader at just the right time in my career. I will always appreciate you for your time and attention to growing future leaders.

Brad Johnson, MBA

People-Driven Leader | Expert in Business and Culture Development | Proven Track Record in Driving Revenue & Operational Excellence

1 年

Tracy E. Nolan I really enjoyed the article. You are spot on about what makes a successful/winning team that will be build for sustain long term results. Love the list of traits.

Angelo Jimenez

Insurance Agent at Humana

1 年

Love this! And love learning so I can help build myself in my career and reach higher levels of success and become a leader just like you ????

Jeff Moden

Senior DBA and T-SQL Mentor

1 年

Just from a bit of personal experience, remember that successful teams aren't necessarily compiled of people that always say "yes" and agree with the rest of the team. An individual may have an insight on a particular point that others don't have. It won't always be the smartest or most talented person on the team... "just" someone that has a different insight. As I've been witness to more than once, a single difference can make all the difference in the world... even if the difference is cited by the janitor.

Joseph R. Babiarz

Enterprise Strategic Account Director - Healthcare & Life Sciences

1 年

Love the perspective Tracy. Having Superstars and Role Players working together has always created the most successful teams in history. And it's the great role players that are the hardest to find.

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