Why is it that some teams achieve more than others?

What makes the difference? Talent? Passion? Attitude? Effort? Intelligence? Strategy? Yes, all of these elements play a role and many more! And we all possess some or all of these elements, but in varying amounts. So, what makes the difference? 

I believe it is the recipe or formula of how all of these elements are brought together that makes the difference. And that is where leaders come in. 

Great leaders celebrate diversity and recognize what each person brings to the table. Some bring more and some bring less, but it is through the assembling of a team and the blending of individual strengths that leadership greatness is first demonstrated. It is then in the harnessing of passion, release of control, and disciplined execution that teams are ultimately differentiated.

Two former Navy Seal Instructors (Jocko Willink and Leif Babin) recall a time during hell week when they observed the impact of good and bad leadership. They recount the story in their book Extreme Ownership. Six teams, chosen at random, were competing. One team consistently finished first or second while another team consistently finished last or second to last.

So the Instructors decided to see what would happen if they swapped the leaders of these two teams. Almost immediately the team that had been losing started to win and the team that had been winning finished more in the middle of the group than first. The Instructors concluded that the difference was leadership and how the leader either brought out or suppressed the will of the team. From this they concluded that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.

Henry Cloud, in Boundaries for Leaders “Why some people get results and others don’t,” states that leaders always get what they create and what they tolerate. In other words, leaders have the power to shape the team, determine the plan, set the pace, motivate and inspire the people, etc. Therefore, if the results fall short the leader can only blame themself. Anything else is futile.

So, when results fall short leaders need to look introspectively…which is also why humility is one of the most important attributes in becoming a great leader.

Herb Mast is a Leadership Coach and Employee Engagement Specialist. Learn how he can assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here.