Is teamwork really as critical for success relative to other disciplines like technology or marketing?
I honestly believe that the single biggest competitive advantage that a company can pursue today is getting its leaders on the same page. I’m not implying that other disciplines aren’t important—they are. But the truth is that without effective teamwork, without a cohesive group of people leading an organization, a company cannot begin to tap into the potential that it has in any other areas. What’s the first step to building a strong team? You need to make sure you hire people who are capable of being strong team players. Team members should fi t the company’s culture, be committed to the team and be capable of being genuinely vulnerable and selfless. Once the team is in place, make teamwork an ongoing priority, not just a slogan. Front load the team-building process by scheduling a meaningful offsite gathering. But remember, effective team-building has to be done in the context of real work, not tree climbing exercises. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to know one another on a per