What Makes a Team Click?

TCA Coaches Donna Riechmann, PhD and Geoff Grenert, MBA have been recording their conversations about teams, team building and team development for the benefit of our readers.  Here’s the latest of their dialogues.

Today’s topic is team chemistry – what makes a team click?

Geoff: What makes a team “click,” when the team is achieving its goals and working well together?

Donna: When the overarching goal is compelling enough to sustain commitment and effort, when the customer (internal or external) is satisfied with the product or service, and when the team members are satisfied with their product or service and also believe that the team members are working well together.

Donna: What do you think makes a team “click?”

Geoff: For me, there are three things.  The first is self-discipline and team discipline of all the members.  They must believe in and follow the team rules and regulations agreed upon in the team charter.  Second, the team must aspire to greatness and finally, it must keep its collective eye on the prize.  So – discipline, passion, and focus help teams click.

Donna: What is a good example?

Geoff: In the modern era of sports, the Chicago Bulls NBA basketball teams. This team exemplified these three elements.

The team was disciplined in its offensive and defensive schemes, developed by Tex Winter, one of the coaches, and in their collaborative effort to play a team-oriented defense. They never varied from their philosophy and worked hard to improve their skills.

Everyone on the team aspired to greatness. Michael Jordan wanted to be the best player on the planet, Dennis Rodman the best rebounder, and Scott Pippin the second best player on the planet. Phil Jackson, the coach and leader, aspired to be the best coach and every player worked at improving whatever skills they possessed.  They worked hard at being the best team they could be, and they all tried to win every single game they played.

And finally, they kept their collective eye on one goal…the NBA Championship.

Donna: And how did they all do, both individually and collectively?

Geoff: Extremely well on all counts. Jordan is said to be the best basketball player of all time, even though I personally feel it was Bill Russell of the Celtics. Rodman is also said to be the best rebounder and Scott Pippin was voted one of the 50 greatest players of all time. Phil Jackson has tied Red Auerbach, of the Celtics, with 9 NBA titles, and the Bulls won 6 Championships in 7 years. The one year they did not win, Jordan was playing minor league baseball.

Donna: That’s a great example that illustrates your three elements of a successful team.  In many respects, whether it’s an athletic team or a corporate team, the same principles apply for  teams that “clicks.”

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Yes! You may use this article by TCA Executive Coaches Donna Riechmann and Geoff Grenert in your blog, newsletter or website as long as you include the following bio box:

Donna Riechmann has held executive positions in large corporations as well as being president of her own consulting firm. She’s held adjunct positions at the University of Illinois, Duke Corporate Education and the Center for Creative Leadership.   Currently, as a partner in the consulting firm Leadership Solutions LLC, Donna has designed and implemented leadership development programs and complex change management strategies for many corporate, government, and non-profit clients. She has international consulting and research experience in several  countries, including Bermuda, Bosnia, Canada, People’s Republic of China, and the United Kingdom. Donna holds B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.  Her coaching profile can be found at TheCoachingAssociation.com.

Geoff Grenert (Leadership Solutions LLC), the son of a two-sport professional athlete and Hall of Fame basketball coach, brought the lessons of teamwork and coaching into both his own athletic career and his business life. An entrepreneur, Geoff founded two package delivery companies and an investment partnership, and heco-founded a leadership and team development consulting firm and a not-for-profit community service group. Geoff’s executive coaching, leadership and team development work includes individual coaching through programs at Duke University Fuqua School of Business and the Center for Creative Leadership. The team development exercises and assessment instruments he co-designed are used throughout the U.S. and Europe. Geoff’s coaching profile can be found at TheCoachingAssociation.com.