How to Build a Winning Team

Think of the greatest sports teams of all time: the New Zealand All Blacks of the last 10 years; the New York Yankees of the early 1950s; Barcelona FC under the leadership of Pep Guardiola; and, of course, (we may be biased!) Sir Bobby Moore’s football World Cup winning team of 1966. All different sports, all different eras, all different nationalities, but with one thing in common…they were all winning teams. Building a winning team is no easy feat.  A team by its very nature involves multiple people with multiple personalities, work ethics and attitudes. In this blog we explore our insights and experience working with elite teams across various sectors and share the secrets of how you can build a winning team.

Think about a winning team

What came to mind? Was it a team you were in, your favourite sport team, a team at work or did your natural instinct take you to a team that wasn’t winning? Naturally, as humans, we tend to register and focus on negative experiences.

But try to override this and think about a winning team. Why was it a winning one?  Make a note of your thoughts, who was the leader, what were the goals, values, behaviours and who was in that team?  We are going to come back to this list so no skipping it.

Positivity

Building a winning team requires a focus on positive psychology. This is simply defined as “focusing on positive events and influences in life which include positive experiences (happiness, joy and love), positive states and traits (gratitude, resilience and compassion) and positive institutions (positive principles in organisations).” 

Why is this important in building a winning team?  Teams and projects will inevitably face difficulties and challenges.  As the leader, by having a positive perspective, a can-do attitude and demonstrating positive emotions, you will encourage and create a supportive team who in turn will help you to move forward past the obstacles, even after major setbacks.

Leading a winning team

Leadership is not about having the fancy title or the biggest office. Or needing to know everything; it’s about the willingness to step up, lean into courage and be brave and show your strength of character (Warrior). It also means looking for support in areas where you are not so strong. Remember, as a leader you don’t need to know everything.

Working out how to build a winning team is quite daunting, isn’t it? There’s so much to think about, people to consider and outcomes to reach. A good place to start is from the list you made earlier about what you think of as a winning team.

Rarely did these winning teams happen by luck or chance, but instead when preparation meets opportunity. We all have opportunities but it’s being prepared for them which is when the magic happens. 

Follow the below preparation to create your winning team:

Have a Super North Star

Everyone in the team needs to know what is bringing them together. A common goal means everyone is going in the same direction. Ideally this will use the SMART philosophy of goal setting: specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-orientated, and with a Timeframe. Make sure you include your team in this process. Your team will feel respected when they have a voice.

Think of the greatest sports teams of all time: the New Zealand All Blacks of the last 10 years; the New York Yankees of the early 1950s; Barcelona FC under the leadership of Pep Guardiola; and, of course, (we may be biased!) Sir Bobby Moore’s football World Cup winning team of 1966. All different sports, all different eras, all different nationalities, but with one thing in common…they were all winning teams. Building a winning team is no easy feat.  A team by its very nature involves multiple people with multiple personalities, work ethics and attitudes. In this blog we explore our insights and experience working with elite teams across various sectors and share the secrets of how you can build a winning team.

Think about a winning team

What came to mind? Was it a team you were in, your favourite sport team, a team at work or did your natural instinct take you to a team that wasn’t winning? Naturally, as humans, we tend to register and focus on negative experiences. But try to override this and think about a winning team. Why was it a winning one?  Make a note of your thoughts, who was the leader, what were the goals, values, behaviours and who was in that team?  We are going to come back to this list so no skipping it.

Positivity

Building a winning team requires a focus on positive psychology. This is simply defined as “focusing on positive events and influences in life which include positive experiences (happiness, joy and love), positive states and traits (gratitude, resilience and compassion) and positive institutions (positive principles in organisations).” Why is this important in building a winning team?  Teams and projects will inevitably face difficulties and challenges.  As the leader, by having a positive perspective, a can-do attitude and demonstrating positive emotions, you will encourage and create a supportive team who in turn will help you to move forward past the obstacles, even after major setbacks.

Leading a winning team

Leadership is not about having the fancy title or the biggest office. Or needing to know everything; it’s about the willingness to step up, lean into courage and be brave and show your strength of character (Warrior). It also means looking for support in areas where you are not so strong. Remember, as a leader you don’t need to know everything. Working out how to build a winning team is quite daunting, isn’t it? There’s so much to think about, people to consider and outcomes to reach. A good place to start is from the list you made earlier about what you think of as a winning team. Rarely did these winning teams happen by luck or chance, but instead when preparation meets opportunity. We all have opportunities but it’s being prepared for them which is when the magic happens. Follow the below preparation to create your winning team:

Have a Super North Star

Everyone in the team needs to know what is bringing them together. A common goal means everyone is going in the same direction. Ideally this will use the SMART philosophy of goal setting: specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-orientated, and with a Timeframe. Make sure you include your team in this process. Your team will feel respected when they have a voice

Lead by example and be consistent

A winning team’s Ethos (values) need to be at the heart of the team, so bring these to life. Be consistent – as a leader your behaviours need to be consistent so your team know where they are with you, what to expect from you and what you expect from them.

Check out this Simon Sinek short video about leadership. An example of this is always asking your team how they are. Lead by example by not sending emails in the middle of the night! Remember, everyone is watching your behaviour choices so make them good ones.

Agree milestones

Everyone needs to know their role and to be accountable for their part in the Strategy. If you and your team are working in an office environment, how about putting something visual on a wall so everyone can see where each milestone fits with the others? It could be that on a Monday morning when you have a team meeting, everyone is asked to update their milestones. Remember to congratulate people for their achievements.

However, we don’t want people to wait until this meeting to update on a milestone that isn’t achieved so remember to put in place a process whereby any blockers can be flagged. Check out this article for ideas of how to structure your team touch points.

Encourage growth

Allow your team to develop their Warrior by supporting risk taking and getting out of comfort zones. The unknown will build mental and physical resilience for all. This could be challenging as a leader.

For example, if one of your team wants to make the big presentation to your boss, or they want to go and meet a big potential new client. These might be things that you usually do, but to encourage growth you need to allow your team to step up. Let them know you are there to support them and set out your expectations for success.

Challenge yourself

Put people in the team who aren’t like you. A winning team needs a mix of personalities; not a team of Mini-Me’s. Have a look at Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. Naturally we are drawn to people like ourselves, and as wonderful as we are, this is going to create a group of people who think and act in the same way. However, to build a winning team we need diversity across the team: we need different opinions, strengths and ways of doing things.

Celebrate success

This will build team morale and keep everyone on track to the Super North Star. Remember not everyone likes to go down the pub after work or having a jam doughnut. So, get to know your team and try to tick everyone’s preference box. An early finish on a Friday will probably do this for most people!

Show vulnerability

Many leaders think of vulnerability as a weakness. On the contrary, vulnerability is a strength and fuels great relationships. Check out Brené Brown’s talk on ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ and Compass For Life CEO, Floyd Woodrow’s blog, ‘Vulnerability is a Fantastic Leadership Trait, So Don’t Get Hung Up By The Word’. Letting go of your ego and asking for help is ok!

Put your oxygen mask on first

Selfishness is self-care! To be a great leader you need to look after yourself both mentally and physically. By doing this you will be the best version of you to everyone else.

An estimated 141.4 million working days were lost because of sickness and injury in the UK in 2018 pre-pandemic. This is the equivalent to 4.4 days per employee.

Minor illnesses were reported as the top reason for absence, musculoskeletal problems next, ‘other’ third and mental health conditions was reported as the fourth reason.

The cost of poor mental health to UK employers is up to £45billion which is a 16% increase since 2017.

Looking after yourself is integral to building a winning team. Things to think about are: taking regular days leave to rest; not always being the first in the office and the last to leave.

Remember role modelling good habits is really important to ensuring the health and wellbeing of your team. Keeping hydrated and making sure there is lots of opportunities for your team to do the same. Have water coolers and maybe company water bottles for everyone. Don’t send emails at all hours. Instead be strict with separating your work and home life. Try to digitally disconnect after a certain time in the evening and encourage your team to do the same.

Look after your winning team too

Work with HR to look at a suitable health and wellbeing package which will work for everyone. This can include flexible working hours to allow people to walk to work, take lunch time exercise or get to the gym after work. If you have catering onsite, try and encourage healthy options for all too. Team away-days or working lunches don’t need to be fuelled by pizzas and cake, why not try nutritious options instead that will get your team’s creative juices flowing better and for longer.

What did you think of the blog? What do you think it takes to build a winning team? Let us know if the comments and share your thoughts with us on social media. 

Discover how Compass For Life can help you to build a winning team whether that be in an organisation, education or sports setting: https://compassforlife.co.uk