You might be satisfied with your team and believe you are doing well, but studies say that, typically, only 13% of team members are engaged. Can you imagine if the A-Team was so unengaged? Now, imagine what your team would be like if half of your team was thriving in their work and everybody was motivated. Yes, you would get a lot done, while emphasizing creativity and maintaining a level of happiness. Let’s see what we can learn from some old-time and new TV shows about bringing our team to greatness.
The A-Team and the importance of hiring the right team members
What made the A-Team so successful in every episode? Yes, each of the team members had a special skill, but it wasn’t just that – they were able to work together towards a common objective. When hiring new people for you team, don’t just think about the skills and experience they need to have – also think about how they will interact with the rest of the team:
- Will that person be able to communicate well?
- Is that person empathetic enough that he/she can work together with the rest of the team?
- What is his/her motivation?
- Can I offer a way to fulfill that person’s dream so that he/she can thrive at work?
Diversity was one of the strengths of the A-Team, so don’t be scared of having people with varying characteristics and backgrounds in one team. Just get to know their strengths and weaknesses, dreams, and what demotivates them. In this way, you’ll be able to guide them so that they can thrive and enjoy their work. The more well-explained and well-guided diversity there is at work, the richer the experience will be for everyone.
When we know that we are surrounded by excellent professionals and our team has really high standards, we tend to perform better and also tend to be more motivated because we are learning and slowly achieving mastery, which is one of the biggest motivators. Aim for excellence, not only in the newcomers’ knowledge but also in their emotional intelligence.
The Americans and how to stress your team’s purpose
What makes two KGB agents, living in the US for decades, stay focused on their job and resist fleeing? It is not their love for each other nor is it a dislike for the US; it is the love for their home country and their firm belief that their county’s system is fairer. Purpose is what keeps them together and helps them work every day. The Jennings are like distributed workers; they are far from the headworkers, but they keep the purpose in mind, and that helps them moving forward.
In order for your team members to keep that purpose in mind, you will need to periodically stress the purpose of the company and of the team, in particular. I am not talking about some form of communist brainwashing; there’s no need for that – simply follow some of these tips:
- Make use of the reports and feedback that you receive from clients and use them to illustrate the purpose of the company. You can have a different example to start each meeting with. Knowing that we are helping other teams/customers makes everyone feel useful and happy.
- Ask the customer service team to give you real cases, testimonials, and quotes of people that your team has helped through their work. Share them with your team as examples, especially if you need your team to be more creative or think outside the box. Knowing that they are helping people will give them an extra boost of energy.
- When looking at company reports, imagine them without your team’s work so you can really see the importance that your team has on the company; this will help you form new ideas.
Always try to be creative in the ways that you express yourself so that your team does not expect your discourse about purpose; try to be spontaneous and surprising so that you can win their hearts.
Game of Thrones and the importance of knowing your team
Think about the last scene in the final episode of the season 5: A young leader is murdered by his own people. But why? What did he do wrong? Possibly, his biggest mistake was in not trying to understand them or be part of the team, and, most importantly, he did not try to resonate with them. If you want to bring your team to greatness, you have to first know who they are. Only then will you be able to push them forward. So unless you want to end up dead as winter is coming, take the time and energy to know your team and adapt your strategies to their personalities and abilities.
Can you think of other TV shows with great leaders that helped team members achieve greatness and thrive? Share them with us!
