How Mastering Teamwork Will Make Your Organization Successful

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Teamwork can be the single most important skill and business process in making your organization effective and better than the competition. The incredible part is that teamwork, unlike marketing or research and development, does not typically require a huge budget. Do you doubt what can be accomplished with high-level teamwork?

Recently, I experienced it in its highest form and it inspired me to write this article. I had the honor of flying as a passenger with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. The flight had been my childhood dream and I was thrilled to have it become a reality.

In November 2019, I spent an entire weekend at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team opened its doors and made me feel like a true part of their family during my time there. Of course, the experience was epic, but what I did not expect to learn is that the reason the Thunderbirds are able to fly at their precise and expert caliber is due to the highest level of — and dedication to — teamwork.

When the public sees these pilots, everybody seems to respect and acknowledge them as top pilots in the world. While the public may credit each as an individual, the pilots themselves do not focus on their own talents and skills, but attribute the success to their maintenance team members for keeping the jets in the air; the commanders’ training and procedures as part of the Thunderbirds program; and the flight doctors, ground team and all who support their endeavors.

When I spoke with a commander, he praised the skill level of the pilots, the attention to detail and commitment of the maintenance team and the consistent dedication from everyone involved. In my opinion, the successful operation of a business is quite parallel to the Thunderbirds program. It functions optimally when each employee feels valued and like they are part of the most elite team in the world. But how do you develop this team culture?

1. It starts at the top.

The executive team consists of your “base commanders.” In the past, I have seen the damage caused by executives who do not know how to embrace team spirit and motivate their employees. This is a failing formula and can only temporarily be mitigated by paying staff above-industry standards just to keep them on board.  A qualified executive team knows how to build a team, maintain momentum and foster excitement in all levels of the corporate structure. If your executive team is qualified, then they will want to commit to making teamwork a priority.

2. Respect is paramount.

Middle management must value those whom they report to as well as those who report to them. When mid-level managers understand that their employees in the sales, admin and labor departments are just as essential to the organization as their supervisors on the executive team, mutual respect becomes the foundation of operations. If respect is sincere, team members will want to help, rather than feel threatened by or in competition with, each other.

3. Common goals bring people together.

Every employee must work toward a common goal and good. While each person’s tasks, strengths and weaknesses may be different, if the overall vision, mission and purpose are shared, then you ensure that everyone is moving in the same direction. If each person’s goal or vision for the company is different, the team may be operating with subpar or self-defeating tendencies.

4. Creating cohesiveness and concern for others is key.

The highest level of teamwork requires people in an organization to sincerely care about each other and the goals of the company, more than their own egos or personal goals. Conflicts from external sources or even internal squabbles should be resolved fairly, thoroughly and quickly, so that the team remains a united front with members all supporting each other and the common mission. A lead pilot can sink the other aircraft in the formation if he is not properly informed, communicating to the formation, trusted by the other pilots and adept at making correct decisions. Working and communicating as one helps make that happen.

The Thunderbirds safely fly F-16 fighter jets less than 2 feet apart from each other at over 500 mph. They do this upside down, right side up and under high G-force load. How is this possible? The highest level of teamwork is the reason. If everyone in your organization is on board with high-level teamwork and makes it a part of the company culture, then everybody on your team can perform at this level and fly circles around your competition.