The Power of a Great Team - Curate your circle

History is littered with great teams. From sport to space exploration, there is always a team at work behind any significant achievement. Even when it appears to be a solo accomplishment, there is usually a team that has helped facilitate that individual’s success.

Something about being part of a team—winning, losing, struggling, laughing, and working hard together—feels great. Great teams share many common traits, but building one can be one of the greatest challenges businesses face.

We all know when we are in a great team. Equally, we know when we are not.

I want to explore the power of a great team, what it can do for you and the people around you, how to build one, and the warning signs that you might be in a bad one. It’s also important to look at the power of having a great personal team, the people you trust the most. Without a great personal group around you, it will be hard to be successful or fulfilled.

Let’s dive in.

What Makes a Great Team?

Using football briefly as an example: If you had asked me a few years ago what a great team was, I would have characterised it as one that 'wins'. I would have cited the usual examples: Barcelona under Pep, Manchester United under Fergie, and so on. These teams, with their impressive records and iconic moments, seem like the epitome of greatness.

But then I realised something important: I support Bolton Wanderers, a team that doesn't really win much at all. Yet, I still love them. I feel a part of it. I am invested. I watch them play, and the players give their all, for the most part. To me they are a great team, my team.

This made me think: is a great team more than just a 'winning team'? I think it might be. A great team, I've come to understand, is characterised by several key qualities that go beyond just victories, trophies, or numbers on a spreadsheet.

First and foremost, a great team has clear goals and objectives. This isn't just about winning matches or titles, but about a shared vision and purpose that everyone understands and commits to. It provides direction and a sense of purpose that keeps everyone aligned.

In a great team, everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, giving feedback, and discussing issues openly without fear of judgment.

A great team has diverse team members that bring different skills and expertise to the table, they can tackle a wide range of challenges and come up with solutions.

They have effective leaders to guide them, providing support, and helping resolve any conflicts. They inspire and motivate the team to perform at their best, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

No team works without genuine accountability where each team member should be responsible for their roles and deliverables, ensuring that everyone contributes and the team can rely on each other. This sense of accountability drives the team forward and helps maintain high standards day after day.

The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and handling unexpected challenges is crucial for any long-term success. This adaptability, coupled with a positive attitude keeps the team motivated even when things get tough (something Bolton need in abundance).

So, while winning is certainly a part of what makes a team great, it's not the whole story. A great team is built on a foundation of clear goals, open communication, trust, respect, diverse skills, collaboration, strong leadership, accountability, flexibility, a positive attitude, effective problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

These qualities create a team that not only achieves success but also creates a lasting bond and a sense of belonging for everyone involved. In this light, I see that Bolton Wanderers, despite not always winning, embody many of these qualities, making them a great team in their own right. (You're with me, right?... I can hear the Wigan fans already).

Feeling Part of It

This might be the big one for me.

Being part of a team where you are seen and heard is crucial.

I have been part of so-called 'Great teams', often self-proclaimed by those who run them. But I have felt side-lined, seen others side-lined, and questioned whether it is really a great team.

Belonging and feeling part of it, is for me, perhaps the most crucial element to a truly successful team.

Back to football again (sorry): I have played in many 5-a-side teams over the years, some where I had no real connection with those I played with. Not in a bad way, it just never felt natural. Some of these teams won quite a bit, but I never felt comfortable shouting out in the match or expressing myself as much as I would in other circumstances.

I have, however, been part of a 5-a-side team that was technically not as good at football. Some good players, some average. However, every single person in the team got on like a house on fire. Everyone felt part of it, we would encourage each other, shout at each other, lose a match and pick each other up, win together and celebrate.

In the end, we ended up winning the league after 3 seasons of trying. We were not the best team by far. But because we had real spirit and togetherness, we would often overcome technically better teams.

I guess what I am trying to get at here is the success of a team, for me, comes down to whether the people in it feel part of it. Can they be themselves? Do they have a voice? Are they invested?

That is the basis of what makes a team great.

Are You in a Bad Team?

There will be people reading this thinking deep down that they are in a poor work environment.

Some might think it's okay, but have not truly experienced a great team.

And there will be a few lucky ones who are in an awesome team!

But what are the red flags to look out for if you are not quite sure? If you are in a team at the moment and seeing these traits, it might be time to make a move.

• Lack of Clear Goals and Objectives: No shared vision or clear goals.
• Poor Communication: Lot's of misunderstandings, lack of information sharing, and members not feeling heard.
• Absence of Trust and Respect: A toxic work environment. Trust is essential for open communication and effective teamwork.
• Lack of a varied Skill Set: A team lacking diverse skills and perspectives is often unable to tackle challenges creatively or effectively.
• Non-collaborative Culture: People not actively helping out team mates. In recruitment, we use to call this 'top drawing' where consultants would keep the best clients or candidates to themselves.
• Weak Leadership: No guidance, support or motivation.
• Lack of Accountability: Accountability ensures everyone is contributing to the team's success.
• Resistance to Change: A 'we know best' attitude.
• Low Morale: This often results in high turnover rates of staff. Probably the easiest one to spot.
• Lack of Continuous Improvement: No progression, no upskilling, no improvements.
• Unclear Responsibilities: Clarity in roles ensures efficiency and accountability.

Keep an eye out for these as they could be warning you that this isn't the team for you.

Curate Your Own Circle

Perhaps more important than anything is having the very best 'TEAM YOU'.

Who are the people around you at home, in your personal life?

Curating your personal circle—the people you spend the most time with and are influenced by—is important for several reasons. This group will directly impact your mental well-being, personal growth, and overall life satisfaction.

Positive relationships will provide emotional support, reduce stress, and help your personal development by offering inspiration, accountability, and new perspectives. To curate your circle requires reflection on your current relationships.

Often, prioritising quality over quantity and seeking individuals who align with your values is the key. Regularly evaluating your relationships to ensure they remain supportive is incredibly important.

With the right 'Team You' supporting you, you'll thrive.

Building a Team

This is a tough one.

It's something I think about a lot. Running my own business, the next few years will (I hope) come with growth. Hiring people will either make my business flourish or hinder it. It's a massive challenge.

So I guess the answer I can give at the moment is: I am not too sure how to build a great team from scratch. I am being really honest.

Yes, I have led successful teams in a wider organisation, but to set the tone and values as a business leader will be a different ball game.

I will leave this one for another day, but interested in your thoughts below.

Finding a Home!

So while I think all the great teams have the same traits and structures, I believe that not every team suits everyone.

We are all different, thank god. And while diverse opinions matter in any team, finding a home that suits you is important.

Sometimes it is just a feeling, like when you buy a house. You can walk into one, its objectively a great house, the garden is lovely, great schools nearby, south facing blah blah but you just don't get a feeling. The next house objectively might not tick all the boxes but it feels like home. You feel part of it and it feels right. I think a great team is a bit like that.

Are you in a great team?

I hope so.

If you are not, you can make a change.

Finding the right group of people to work with can be liberating & incredibly powerful.

You might be in a 'Great Team', but it's not your Great Team!

Finding the people you feel comfortable with, want to work with, feel supported by, where you have a voice, where you feel empowered are the things you should be seeking out.

Everyone is different, not one team has to fit everyone.

Find the team where you fit and you will be a success.

Good luck

Rich