The team Concept

By Paul Suddess








A team, by the most simple description, may be defined as two or more persons working together toward a common goal.

Hence


 If you have only one person you do not have a team
 If they do not work together you do not have a team
 If they do not share the same objective you do not have a team.
 If they are in conflict and pull against each other you do not have a team
 If you have more than one member competing for the prestige or recognition of team leadership without regard either for the team or its objectives then you do not have a team.
 If you have one or more members who openly or surreptitiously engage in criticism or ridicule of other members you do not have a team.
 If you have one or more members who deliberately conspire or collaborate to reduce or slow down the productivity of the team as a whole in order to expand the time required to achieve the objective then you do not have a team.







A team is not simply a group but is, rather, a cohesive whole in which the component parts fit beautifully together to form a harmony and atmosphere that is uplifting, inspiring, and welcoming to its members both individually and as a whole and which promotes greater productivity and fewer mistakes in the pursuit of its objectives which, of course, is welcomed and to the advantage of the employer. The Team Concept favours both sides without detriment or disadvantage to either. It is an arrangement that is mutually beneficial to all parties involved and which lends itself to the stability and success of any company that faithfully and diligently embraces its principles.

In any team there can be only one ‘team leader’ who is not the boss, who does not give orders, who does not observe while the others work, who is not inherently superior or more intelligent than his co-workers, and who does not convey the impression or impart instructions in the manner of a dictator.

A ‘team leader’ is one who is willing to assume responsibility for coordinating the activities of the team by mutual agreement of its members and who, by virtue of either inherent or trained administrative skills, is equipped to facilitate and to elicit from each of its members those talents, abilities, and expertise which are most needed in the pursuit of the team’s objectives. The ‘team leader’ is an integral and equally involved component of the whole who may be described as the ‘glue’ or ‘binding material’ that keeps the team focussed and efficiently working toward the successful conclusion of its goal.

A ‘team leader’ is supportive, encouraging, sensitive to the differences and/or inexperience of individual members, and is prepared to take those extra steps to assist and/or explain and demonstrate when confusion or uncertainty have become evident.

A ‘team leader’ is a friend not an overlord. A ‘team leader’ is a co-worker not a CEO. A ‘team leader’ exists only as long as the team exists and when its task is completed and the unit is disbanded so too does the ‘team leader’ cease to exist and reverts to the same standing as his or her co-workers.

There are already more than enough dictators and overlords in this world. The graveyards are replete with their victims and the unending list of failed ventures may be accurately laid at their doorstep. What is in short supply and sorely needed is effective and dedicated leadership that is supported by keen and penetrating vision and fueled by selfless devotion to principle and personal integrity.






The Team Concept is remarkably adept at nurturing those inherent qualities with which each and every person, without exception, is endowed at birth and promotes higher standards of ethics and behaviour by appealing to the inter-dependence and gregarious nature of the human personality. Humans cannot live alone and survive unimpaired. Isolation is unhealthy and handicaps the positive development of uniquely human qualities. Confrontation, hostility, and even rage are the expected symptoms when individuals feel isolated and alienated from those around them and, sadly, all too often this anger and resentment is discharged against the most helpless and innocent, namely, family members and business associates.
The progressive and advanced thinking of Japanese industrialists has long recognized this axiom of behaviour and for decades they have employed and cultivated the Team Concept as a critical and essential component of their various enterprises the rewards of which have rendered them successful in whatever venture they have pursued.

The ‘team’ is simply a family in miniature. The family is simply a country in miniature and the country is clearly the world in miniature. It follows, therefore, that what is good for the team is also good for the world. Whatever promotes peace and unity within a team also, by its radiating influence, promotes peace and unity throughout the world.