Linda Little, MBA’s Post

Teams should operate like those in professional sports, where different skills are required to play different positions. Excellence in each is mandatory, the success of the mission is uncompromisable, and members that don't measure up may need to be cut. When teams operate with such high standards and shared values, extraordinary relationships are likely to develop. #principleoftheday

Today I want to address a controversial topic in the most respectful and objective manner I can. Recently, I've noticed a few discussions around the concept of companies adopting a "we're family" way of work, only to let go of employees labeled as "troublemakers" or "not culture fit." The surprise from the people posting about this stems from a fundamental contradiction. In a family, you're bound to your relatives whether you get along or not. Despite growing apart, the familial bond remains. Would you abandon a struggling family member, or would you offer support? Most of us would choose the latter. However, in the business realm, the "we're family" work culture is fundamentally flawed and misleading. It's crucial to remember the age-old advice: "Do not mix family with work." This applies even to the concept of organizational culture. Companies should not view themselves and their employees as family but rather as a high-achieving sports team. A successful sports team, under competent management with a results-driven mindset, retains star players until they no longer align with the team's goals. This approach ensures that individuals who are a genuine culture fit and deliver expected results are valued within the organization but can be let go if/when the proper time comes. It also guarantees that people are fully aware of the company's culture and are not mislead into thinking (and subconsciously behaving) otherwise. This idea is supported by Ray Dalio in this post: https://lnkd.in/eC5gy8wj For further insights, check out the additional readings in the comments section. #spitlightfriday

Learning how to compromise is a skill of a successful leader and an outperforming team.

Ray's insights on team dynamics truly resonate with me. Drawing a parallel between professional sports teams, he emphasizes the importance of excellence in each role, unwavering commitment to the mission, and the necessity to address underperformance. By fostering a culture of high standards and shared values, teams can cultivate extraordinary relationships. To delve deeper into this concept, I recommend exploring more of Ray's principles on his website.

🌟 Peak Performance: The Teamwork Playbook 🌟 Elevating performance is like coaching a top sports team. 🏅 We like to think about more than just skills; it's about fostering an environment where every member is engaged, aligned, and collaborating towards a common goal. With the 'Six ITs' framework, we create a Playbook for success, enhancing outcomes through strategic engagement and Teamwork. So that’s Performance, to Teamwork, to Strategy. 3 of the 6 Specialisms to mix right there. We have Partners in each of those seats to get the right wisdom and people collaborating in the room. So, that’s 2 of the Six ITs right there to bring this championship mindset to an organisation, turning individual efforts into collective victories. 🚀 A tidy and hugely effective way of involving everyone. Search for Performance and Team at Knowledge Central .. https://lnkd.in/eMnybbFN #PerformanceExcellence #Teamwork #SixITsFramework #Engagement #CollectiveSuccess

In the high-stakes world of European Championship football, success is driven by more than just individual talent—it's about how well the team works together. At Mentally Fit, we believe this principle is equally critical in the business world. Some principles we can adopt from top football teams into business are:  - Clear Communication 📢: Effective, constant communication is key to success on and off the field. - Defined Roles 🏅: Clear roles ensure everyone knows their duties within the team. Avoiding these grey zones boosts efficiency. - Trust and Support 🤝: Trust in teammates’ skills and offer support when needed. - Continuous Improvement 📈: Regular performance reviews and learning from mistakes are crucial. Feedback is food for champions! By embracing these teamwork strategies from football, your company can build a stronger, more cohesive team.  Remember, Don't be the best ON the team. Be the best FOR the team! #MentallyFit #Managing #InspiredBySports #energyforperformance #Teamwork

As a CEO, presumably, you've spent time, energy and money getting the people you want in your team. How much work have you invested in making them the best team they can be? Imagine if a top coach in the sports world did that. Would they win the league? The answer is a resounding no! Members of the senior leadership team have at least two roles: 1. To design, build and maintain an exquisite system that provides the value in accordance with purpose - this must be done as a team as there are many dependencies 2. To ensure the function or role they represent delivers as part of that exquisite system One thing you can easily do is to get the team to have conversations with one another and take it in turns to: Accurately describe the goals, pressures and problems of THE OTHER TEAM MATE'S function. The ability to switch into your team mates' perspective is key to maintaining the integrity and performance of that bigger system. Silo working must be avoided at all costs. #ProfessionalConversationalist #NoMoreSiloWorking #TeamDevelopment

One of the things that the 2024 Olympics have reminded us is that teamwork is a game-changer. When teams come together, magic happens! Strong teamwork isn’t just a nice-to-have, it is a must-have for organizations to achieve sustainable success. How are you creating a culture of teamwork in your organization? #teamwork   

Team-first mentality Every great organization should learn from great teams in Sports. A **team-first mentality** in football emphasizes placing the interests of the collective above any opposing personal motivations. It's the attitude that "no one player is bigger than our team." This mindset prioritizes cooperation, collaboration, and working together seamlessly on and off the ball. Pep Guardiola aptly captures its importance: "I don't like it when people say: 'I like freedom; I want to play for myself.'" Instead, successful teams thrive when players unite for a common goal, attacking and defending as one cohesive unit.

“Water all the seeds. Invest and believe in the potential of every team member and be pleasantly surprised by what you cannot predict.” – John Bacon, Sports Journalist and Author of Let Them Lead Reflect on a time when you were pleasantly surprised by a team member’s unexpected contribution or skill. How did their involvement impact the team’s outcome or dynamics? How can you actively cultivate a culture of trust and empowerment within your team, allowing individuals to flourish and surprise you with their contributions? What proactive steps can you take to ensure that each team member feels valued and encouraged to explore their full potential?