The Invisible Force Behind Amazing Teams

For years, I attempted to learn what separated great teams from the not-so-good ones. All good teams have talented people, their goals are clear, and they are well led. But some teams transcend all the others. They are not simply good – they are great. So, what’s the difference? Here’s…

an image of eight people from behind sitting on a barrier near a body of water with their arms around each other

For years, I attempted to learn what separated great teams from the not-so-good ones. All good teams have talented people, their goals are clear, and they are well led. But some teams transcend all the others. They are not simply good – they are great. So, what’s the difference? Here’s what I discovered:

The invisible force behind all high performance teams is their sense of community.

Here’s a working definition: Community is a place where people know each other deeply, serve each other willingly, celebrate each other enthusiastically, and mourn the setbacks in life together. It’s a place characterized by genuine care and concern for each member of the team.

I’m thankful I’ve been part of a community like this on several occasions during my life. We’ve laughed together, cried together, buried children and parents and even members of our community. We’ve willingly sacrificed for members of the group. We’ve given our time, encouragement, accountability, and corrections to each other. We’ve done life together. It’s really beyond my ability to put into words the power, the joy, and the potential that resides in genuine community.

As you read this, I hope you know exactly what I’m trying to describe. I hope you’ve experienced it for yourself. If you have, you realize there’s no substitute for it! If you haven’t yet been part of a community like this I hope you’re asking one question:

How do you create community?

There’s no formula, but there are some things you can do to fuel the process. Here are a few of them:

  • Be intentional – community rarely forms spontaneously
  • Go slow – don’t force it
  • Celebrate the little things as well as the big wins
  • Express gratitude and appreciation freely
  • Find ways to serve others on the team
  • Put the needs of the team ahead of your own
  • Be vulnerable
  • Think about activities you can do together with your team
  • Make building community an ongoing priority – not an afterthought
  • Never stop looking for ways to do life together
  • Be patient – creating genuine community requires time

Just because community is an invisible force does not mean that it is unattainable. Intentional effort and time on task will go a long way toward creating your own power source for your team.

What can you do this week to begin creating the power of community within your team or organization?

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Mark Miller

Mark Miller
Mark Miller is a Wall Street Journal and international best-selling author, communicator, and the former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A. Mark’s leadership journey at Chick-fil-A spanned 45 years, and today, he serves as the Co-Founder of Lead Every Day. Mark began writing almost twenty years ago, and with over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages, his global impact continues to grow.

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