You are part of a work team unless you are a sole practitioner. Some of you are part of multiple teams. Whether a manager, owner, executive, or individual contributor, you are critical to your team's success. 

There are three types of teams. 

The team of individuals. Each person operates independently with this team, pursuing their own objectives without a shared sense of purpose or coordinated effort. These teams can be successful. But, and there is often a but, these teams fail to tap into the collective potential of their members. Which means they could have even more success. Most of these teams don't know they are a team of individuals.

The splintered team. This team is characterized by fragmented subgroups or cliques within the larger group. Such divisions hinder collaboration and the team's ability to work together towards a shared goal. These teams have a lot of drama and hidden undermining, costing them valuable time and results.

The One Team – Better Together team. This team's individuals unite their skills, talents, and diverse perspectives, forming a cohesive group focused on a shared vision. This type of team demonstrates collaboration, trust, humility, open communication, and a true sense of togetherness. This leads to higher success and collective achievement levels than the other groups.

Here are four benefits to the One Team – Better Together team.

Stronger Foundation

The foundation of a house is essential as it provides stability. That ensures the structure can withstand external forces and maintain its integrity over time. Similarly, in the context of a team, a solid foundation is vital for long-term success. 

When a team unites as One Team – Better Together, they create a strong foundation built for more success. The One Team can weather economic and industry "storms" far better than others. The collective strength exceeds the capacity and potential of any single member. The complementary skills of peers bolster individual limitations. This strong foundation is rooted in each individual's diverse expertise and experiences, making the whole significantly more potent than the sum of its parts.

Learn and Grow From Each Other

The journey is as invaluable as the destination in the One Team – Better Together team. Members share and appreciate various perspectives, insights, and knowledge. This open and honest exchange is a base for personal and professional growth. That is what I experienced in my recovery. That same approach is how I also tried to lead my teams. 

As individuals, we achieve more and higher levels of success when we deliberately improve ourselves and our work daily. The One Team – Better Together team shares that commitment. Each team member helps the other achieve that daily growth. That loop of giving and receiving feedback and helping each other creates interconnected development of each individual and The One Team.

Encourage and Motivate Each Other

The One Team – Better Together uses encouragement as the catalyst for focused determination and daily progress. Individuals motivate each other through challenges and celebrate each other's success. This positive reinforcement builds confidence and morale. Both lead to higher results. 

Individuals on The One Team take responsibility for carrying their share of the work and results. They also are comfortable bringing it up with someone who isn't. They don't just leave it to the leader. When a team member struggles, the collective support helps get them back on track and continue forward with renewed confidence.

Teamwork That Achieves Higher Results

The true testament to a team's effectiveness is the results it achieves. A cohesive team can accomplish daily and longer-term success by pooling resources, knowledge, and effort. The shared success fosters a sense of collective pride and satisfaction. That, in turn, drives even higher levels of performance and results. 

"One Team – Better Together" is an attitude, culture, and daily actions representing an evolution beyond typical teams. The One Team – Better Together teams have the power to shape industries, communities, and the very fabric of our society. Yes, I'm being a bit dramatic, but I feel strongly that every team has an opportunity to be better and achieve even higher results. Next week I'll share how to do just that.

So let me ask, which of the three teams would you say your team is? How is the team doing in the four areas?