How professional athletes practice good teamwork | Emile Studham | TEDxLuxembourgCity

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you foster effective teamwork, drawing insights from professional sports. Emile Studham shares a three-part formula that focuses on behaviors, relationships, and processes to enhance team performance. By following these steps, you can create a more connected and high-performing team, moving away from superficial incentives.

Step 1: Focus on Team Behaviors

• Define performance based on actions rather than just outcomes.
• Recognize that behaviors directly influence performance. Make a list of desired team behaviors.
• Implement a self-assessment process where team members rate themselves and each other on these behaviors, not skills or results.
• Identify the top behaviors that contribute to success and select a leadership team based on these criteria.
• Regularly revisit and update the list of behaviors to keep the team aligned.

Step 2: Build Strong Relationships

• Understand that trust is essential for team performance and is built through competence, character, and care.
• Make time to recognize and appreciate individual contributions.
• Conduct exercises where team members share positive stories about their experiences with each other, enhancing emotional connections.
• Encourage open communication and feedback to strengthen trust within the team.
• Aim for a high positive to negative feedback ratio (e.g., six positives for every negative) to maintain morale.

Step 3: Establish a Structured Process

• Treat your team’s internal processes similarly to a sports team's schedule. Plan regular check-ins and structured meetings.
• Start meetings with a "catch the good" segment, where team members share positive stories or achievements.
• Schedule this as the first agenda item to set a positive tone for the meeting.
• Be prepared for resistance, especially from those accustomed to a more critical approach.
• Use positive team members to lead these discussions to create a contagious atmosphere of encouragement.

Additional Tips

• Don’t wait for formal meetings to catch the good; do it in everyday interactions.
• Leverage strengths within the team by identifying and amplifying positive behaviors.
• Make this approach a habit within your organization to create a culture of recognition and support.

Conclusion

By focusing on behaviors, building strong relationships, and establishing a structured process, you can significantly enhance your team's performance. Start implementing these steps today to cultivate a positive culture and improve teamwork. Remember, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and part of a collective effort.