Building a Gold-Medal Team: Essential Qualities for Success"

Groups of people who are full of potential leave conference rooms and Zoom calls every day as deflated men and women, inwardly desiring to work more closely as a team but returning to the reality of functioning as neighboring islands. Many leaders lack a clear understanding of the characteristics of an effective team and how to put them on display. Knowing, discussing, and implementing the following characteristics will compound the camaraderie and production of a team. Consider these qualities of effective teams and the degree to which your team demonstrates them.

Disagreement Without Dissension

Effective teams have the capacity and maturity to allow room for dissenting voices. When a differing perspective is given, each member focuses on issues and results, not personal grandeur or pride. Considered an important team function, disagreements are processed and resolved collectively by keeping the greater good of the organization in mind rather than merely winning an argument.

Furthermore, effective teams not only know how to deal with disagreement, but they even welcome it, recognizing the collaborative value. “Like an earring of gold…is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear” (Proverbs 25:12). Team-minded members desire others to challenge their ideas and invite cross-examination. The most important decisions are usually reached after much discussion, which may include disagreement and controversy. Permitting dissenting views—shared respectfully—yields an expanded understanding, direction, and unity among members.

Shared Leadership

A willingness to share leadership is a mark of a good team. Though one person may serve as the designated leader, often the leadership role rotates among its members according to the current project. The leader willingly relinquishes his or her role, and team members do not greedily grab for it. The team entity is too valuable to permit a power struggle, so effective teams recognize that exponential success supersedes individual success; individuals win or lose as a team. Wise leaders strategically develop this unique culture.

Because the team is so committed to its greater mission, members allow the circumstances to dictate leadership responsibilities. When the team leader discerns that a team member has greater expertise or experience in a current situation, he or she willingly transfers authority for that time to another. Then the partner taking the leadership initiative leads discussions, identifies issues that should be addressed, and brings appropriate resolution.

Constructive Atmosphere

Possessing unity and mutual chieftainship, the team establishes a healthy and constructive atmosphere. Affirmations, such as “Thanks!” and “Great job!” resound regularly in meetings and offices of effective team members.

As a result, team members accept each other and give grace when needed. Should tensions arise, they deal with them openly, quickly, and constructively, seeking to spur one another on toward excellence and camaraderie. Body language is observed, and suggestions are considered. Each team member develops relationship building skills. Team leaders infuse in the team the value of valuing others.

Derogatory comments, negative statements, and defeated attitudes are noticeably absent from the team environment. If a remark builds a person up, then it belongs; if it tears down, then it does not belong. Members practice this with fidelity. By following these principles, a constructive atmosphere is established and grows.

Stay tuned for Part 2!