True teamwork takes time and a willingness to contribute to the greater good of the team, as opposed to only looking out for number one. It begins with a desire to work on behalf of the group. Examine your motives. In successful teams, when the teams win their teammates too reap the rewards. Ineffective teams are often betrayed by selfish team members whose individual goals supersede their team's goals.

Among the hallmarks of effective teams:

• A shared vision of the mission of the team and its goals
• Willingness to meld one's individual talents for the betterment of the team
• Clear communication in both directions between team leader and team members, and amongst members themselves
• Ample appreciation of individual differences within one's team
• Recognition and reward of team members for their efforts

I have chaired boards of directors, coached basketball teams domestically and internationally, and managed talented, and not so talented, groups within and beyond high-tech. I know from experience that lines of authority alone do not guarantee dedication, loyalty and a shared sense of team play. Similarly, I have been a member of functional and dysfunctional teams and have seen first-hand that talent alone doesn't guarantee success. Successful teams are about a coming together of talent, a melding of minds and mindsets, and an ability to focus on the big picture.

Team members seek the following:

• To be heard
• To feel important
• To be valued, appreciated and recognized
• An opportunity to express individuality
• The excitement and pride of group accomplishments
• An opportunity to express individuality

These can all occur on well-led teams, without sacrificing the team spirit. It’s a mistake to believe that the best team leaders treat everyone the same way. Realistically, not everyone wants nor needs to be treated the same way. Some team members are self-motivated. They are self-starters who want the keys to the car and then ask that you step away from the curb. Other team members want and need reassurance, support and a little hand-holding. Neither is right nor wrong. But each excels when treated the way they most want to be treated.

Team leaders should strive to achieve the following:

• A clear vision of the team’s goals and objectives that they consistently articulate
• Appreciation of who each team member is and how to relate to them: personality, temperament, strengths and weaknesses and style
• Cohesion through regular communication
• Support for each team member
• Recognition for members’ accomplishments and group milestones

As an only child who once thought the sun revolved around the son, I benefited greatly from team activities:

• Playing rhythm guitar in a band while in high school (think "second fiddle")
• My role as a back-up, back-up point guard (otherwise known as the last player off the bench) on my UC Santa Cruz basketball team
• As a co-teaching assistant in an undergraduate class at UCLA (think compromise!)

Yet it was as a servant leader in Toastmasters that I learned my greatest lessons as a club, area, division and district leader:

• How to admit mistakes
• Cover for others' errors
• Give and receive constructive criticism to protect the team and its members
• Let go of having to always be right
• Thinking first of the team, then of myself.

Having had the pleasure of serving on guidance committees for several High Performance Leadership projects of others I've learned about acceptance and humility, open-mindedness and how cooperation trumps competition amongst team members.

Teamwork, among any group, is developed over time. Day by day your club or district team can strengthen itself through experience and the natural relationships that occur over time. With time and attention to these tips, soon your group will be teaming with success!

Team With Success to Complete Competent Leader Manual

It's time to apply your burgeoning teambuilding skills. When you complete assignment #10 from your Competent Leadership manual you'll have utilized your team skills to successfully lead within Toastmasters. Opportunities abound within and beyond your club: as a Toastmaster or General Evaluator, as Chairperson of a contest, membership or PR campaign, or special event, or in other capacities too. Indeed the world awaits your team building skills as a leader. Lead on!

— Craig Harrison DTM, AL

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