Question - How do you build a winning team?

Answer = Build a winning team off the field first.

Constant pressure to achieve targets and goals at all costs forces players, coaches, business leaders to get caught focusing only on numbers and outcomes. Often regardless of the consequences and potential fallout. This is a massive recipe for disaster and a not very smart approach.

It is not the outcomes that drive the team but the team that drive the outcomes.

Winning off the field will allow you to win on the field. Focus first on building the right environment, culture and values within your group.

The New Orleans Saints (American Football) are a great example of winning off the field first. After Cyclone Katrina hit in 2005 the Saints adopted the role of community leaders and inspiration to the people of a city that has endured five years of hard times and rebuilding (including their own football stadium). Last Sunday the Saints won their first ever Super Bowl. As rank outsiders and after 40 years of non success they defied the odds to defeat the highly favoured Indianapolis Colts (read more)

New Orleans Saints winners off the field = winners on the field.

One simple way to ensure that you create an environment that will achieve success without having to rely on a natural disaster to strike is to set the bar high in your own personal standards as team leader, coach or manger and lead by example. Present, act and behave at all times the way that you would expect your players or employees to do so. If you are lazy, sloppy, poor communicator and unorganized then expect your players to be exactly the same. Why wouldn’t they be?

If you don’t care why will your team.  If you do care your team will too.

Get your personal train moving north and by leading from the front you will get your teams train on the move too. Invite your players to jump on board with you. If you have any south bound passengers (include yourself in this) leave them at the station.

Talk does not win Championships – culture, players and coaches do.

What action are you going to take this week to get the train moving and build a winning team at work, home or on the sporting field?