Everyone matters on a high-performing team, even those team members or players who are not yet ready for the main stage. Leaders who go out of their way to acknowledge, shout out, and reward those colleagues who are still learning the ropes remind the group that success is a team effort that includes everyone.
There is no such thing as an insignificant team member on a highly cohesive team. The team wins or loses as a unit, not as a collection of stars and reserves.
Given the ample opportunity for leaders to recognize the performance of those with the most playing time, they must make a point of holding up the efforts, preparation, and contributions of those waiting for their chance to take the field. Making a fuss over those team members who are not yet ready to lead the charge tells the entire team that everyone is integral to the team’s success.
Too often, results-oriented leaders and coaches give attention, time, and accolades exclusively to their top performers. Those working hard and waiting for their chance to take the field watch with envy as the best performers gather in all the praise and encouragement the leader doles out. It’s as if those in reserve didn’t exist. The result is a team that doesn’t support each other, acts selfishly, and considers high skill the only badge of honor.
The best leaders and coaches look for reasons to recognize and acknowledge those behind the “starting” unit. Attitude, work ethic, support, and service are held up high and prove to everyone what it means to contribute.
The best leaders often turn to those on the sidelines and ask for their opinions first. At other times, they ask those team members to debrief the team with their evaluations or to lead after-action reviews that highlight the learnings and shortcomings of a recent performance.
Asking those learning the ropes to help gameplan or collect critical data for the team tells them and everyone else that they are critically essential.
Leaders who frequently give accolades to those “riding the bench” foster a different team mentality than do others. By recognizing the contributions made by those not yet ready for prime time, they impart a team ethic that advances morale and ensures everyone is engaged and involved.
This places a check on the egos of those on the stage and reminds them that they succeed when everyone else on the team does as well. As a result, deep relationships between teammates swell, and a strong sense of cohesion takes hold.
Isn’t that what teams were always meant to be?
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
