8 Practices Of Leaders Who Build Great Teams

8 Practices Of Leaders Who Build Great Teams

Smart leaders know building a great team is critical to their success.  Teams allow you to multiply your influence and accomplish more than you ever could by yourself.  So the question begs, how do you build a great team?  Are there qualities you should look for in those you wish to add to your organization?
Many experts feel the Dallas Cowboys have the finest offensive line in the NFL.  In the November 17th edition of Sports Illustrated, Greg Bedard recounted how the unit was constructed.  As I read the article I gleaned the following 8 Practices Of Leaders Who Build Great Teams:
Whether you lead a church, business, athletic team or non-profit, these practices will make you a better team.

1. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Recognize Defining Moments – Calamity brings clarity and causes wise leaders to make necessary changes.  When quarterback Tony Romo missed the final 10 games of the 2010 season because of a broken clavicle after being sacked, Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones knew the offensive line needed to be upgraded.  He said, “Tony started to take some licks.  You could see he (had) less confidence…we’ve got to start the process (of rebuilding the line).”
2. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Put Existing Team Members In The Right Seat On The Bus – While 80% of the offensive line would eventually be replaced, left tackle Doug Free was moved to right tackle where he has flourished.
3. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Interview Several Highly Qualified Candidates – Heading into the 2011 NFL Draft, offensive line coach Hudson Houck looked at three top prospects for the left tackle position to be selected with the team’s top pick – Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Colorado’s Nate Solder and USC’s Tyron Smith.  Smith was eventually chosen.
4. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Hire Hard-Working People – What separated Smith from the other two tackles was his superlative work ethic.  Today, Smith is considered one of the top two left tackles in the game.  Current offensive line coach Bill Callahan says, “Of all the guys I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been doing this for 37 years, this is the hardest working lineman I’ve ever been around.”
5. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Hire Hungry People – Recently Tony Robbins was asked what was the common thread separating successful and highly successful people.  He said, “It’s very simple.  Hunger.  Hunger to be more.  To do more. To give more.  To create more.”  In 2012, the Cowboys signed undrafted free agent left guard Ronald Leary.  Leary says, “Going undrafted will be something that I’ll never forget.  It keeps me from getting complacent or comfortable.”
6. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Hire Highly-Intelligent People – In 2013, the Cowboys selected a slow but highly-intelligent center from Wisconsin Travis Frederick with the 31st pick.  Frederick, who now runs the offensive line and calls out all the signals, majored in both computer engineering and computer science.  Callahan says of Frederick, “He’ll grasp anything the first time you tell him.  His recall is incredible.”
7. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Hire The Best People – Sign your 1st Round draft picks.  Do not take “No” for an answer.  Needing to fill one more position on the offensive line, the Cowboys desperately wanted Notre Dame guard Zack Martin.  Callahan was so enamored with Martin he did not even require him to participate in a private workout.  He said, “He just popped all over the film.  This was a no-brainer.”  The best teams get the people they want while others make excuses or settle for lesser options.
8. Leaders Who Build Great Teams Add Quality Depth – In 2012, the team added Mackenzy Bernadeau while continuing to develop four-year veteran Jermy Parnell.

Recognize Defining Moments, Position Current Team Members Appropriately, Interview Several Highly Qualified Candidates, Hire People Who Are Hard-Working, Hungry, Highly-Intelligent and the Best.  And add quality depth.  Practice these 8 things and you will build a great team.
What is one thing you as a leader could do better in this area?