Image by: World Bank Photo Collection
By Michael Sterling
Teamwork is the only way companies will find success. In this post-recession time we’re in, every worker has grown a dog-eat-dog type of perspective on how to run their business. It’s every man for himself. But what many of us fail to see is that true success is all about team management. These team building quotes put everything into perspective, and can teach us all a thing or two:
#1) “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth
The greatest accomplishments are done be the strengths of individual minds working as one. If you lack knowledge in one sector, there should always be another to carry the weight of that knowledge. You might think you know it all, but when push comes to shove, we’re all human. We think within our realm of understanding. Another mind is always going enhance the trajectory towards success.
#2) “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
Beware the workers who doubt, they are often the ones who are doing the less work. Slackers love to rock the boat. The reason why people become great is because they’re willing to learn. By surrounding yourself with positive, talented workers, not only will they be more likely to learn from each other, but productivity will become a common thread that ties them.
#3) “Teamwork makes the dream work” – Bang Gae
The bigger picture is always in the mind’s eye of human beings – it’s how we’re structured. The ultimate goal of your company lies not with you or fellow supervisors, but from the team beneath its foundation. They are the soil that nourishes the seeds, and if they’re not cohesive, it will only stint progress.
#4) “A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.” – An Old Swahili Proverb
A good leader will give good direction, otherwise no one will know what their task is. The ending result will ultimately be hours of wasted time. If you want your company to climb the ladder of success, you must be articulate to your staff about what each of their jobs are, otherwise, you will only be staying afloat, but never moving forward.
#5) “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordon
No one knows it all. Though we may think we’re God’s gift to business, the industry is constantly changing. Talent is always a must have, but to reach your potential, you must have intelligence. With that, comes an awareness that you, in fact, aren’t perfect. This realization will open you up for more opportunities to perfect your craft.
#6) “Collaboration, it turns out, is not a gift from the gods but a skill that requires effort and practice.” – Douglas B. Reeves
Not everyone is going to get along with each other, and that’s okay. The word “professionalism” isn’t used enough in the office environment. Often times, we take things personal and start wars against each other. However, a good collaborative mindset is the very thing that separates the rookies from the big boys. People are more likely to remember you by your work ethic than anything else.
#7) “It is better to have one person working with you than three people working for you.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
The size of the team doesn’t matter in the long run. What really matters is how well you work together and what strengths you each have to offer the tasks at hand. Whether it’s a small company or a large corporation, when it comes to major decisions, make sure the people you trust most are just an office away.
#8) “Teamwork is the secret that make common people achieve uncommon result.” – Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
It doesn’t take a genius to become extraordinary. In business, guilty by association is the definitive outlook for most industries. When your team has its head on their shoulders, they can make the weakest of the bunch look like a giant. This image is priceless.
#9) “If you can laugh together, you can work together” – Robert Orben
There’s no reason to be hateful towards your colleagues, in fact, it will only damage you more than anyone else. Laughter is a true sign of a positive connection with one another. If you can’t laugh your disagreements off, then it will only grow to become resentment. This will always be reflected back through your work .
#10) “It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares about who gets the credit.” – Robert Yates
Ego and pride are your worst enemies, and shouldn’t have any place near an office environment. Ideas should never be held back out of fear that “they won’t get the credit.” This is a sign that the company truly isn’t what’s important to them. Whenever you’re a part of a team, the only goal should be to watch it flourish, regardless of who’s idea became a milestone.