One person, no matter how smart and creative, cannot achieve the same results as people working collaboratively toward a common goal. For a team to win, members need to place the success of the team above personal interests. There is a temptation for exceptionally competent people to want to show others how good they are at the expense of team performance. One of Phil Jackson s real challenges when he became coach of the Chicago Bulls was to get his star players to work as a team. Not all teams or groups are effective.
Conflict is inevitable.
A team needs to create a process for dealing with conflict before it is needed, and use it. Clear expectations, roles, responsibilities and authority. Everyone needs answers to such questions for a well-orchestrated effort and result. Semiannual performance reviews are ineffective for monitoring progress. A team needs more immediate information to keep on course.