September 2024

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• September 30, 2024

The ROI of Teamwork: By the Numbers

📊 The ROI of Teamwork: By the Numbers

The data around football has exploded in the last decade; clubs who harness this intelligence have reaped the rewards. Now, every club can access as much data as they can handle, but what you learn and action from the data will make the difference.

Data in business has always been fundamental – that bottom line doesn’t lie! However, are you sceptical about the impact of teamwork on your business – then let the data speak for itself:

– 37% higher productivity in collaborative companies (Deloitte)

– 21% higher profitability in organisations with connected employees (Gallup)

– 41% lower absenteeism in teams with high engagement (Gallup)

However, fostering great teamwork can be challenging. Common issues:

1. Communication barriers (cited by 33% of employees)

2. Lack of trust (experienced in 45% of teams)

3. Unclear goals (affects 37% of projects)

The solution? Intentional team building.

I first encountered a professional example of this in the build-up to Euro 92 in Sweden when the England national football team was in a training camp in Finland. We had a renowned sports psychologist who put us through various group activities. I found it fascinating, but I’m not sure it was a great success—we lost all three games we played at the tournament! Although I’m sure there may have been other mitigating circumstances….

There are many ways to achieve intentional team building, but here are a few examples:

·     Problem-solving challenges: Give the team a complex task, like an escape room or a puzzle.

·     Skill-sharing sessions: Have team members teach each other skills or share knowledge in informal workshops.

·     Volunteer projects: Engage in community service activities as a group.

·     Team sports or games: Participate in friendly competitions that require cooperation.

·     Offsite retreats: Spend time together outside the work environment to focus on team dynamics.

·     Cultural diversity celebrations: Host events to share and appreciate team members’ diverse backgrounds.

·     Goal-setting workshops: Collaboratively establish team objectives and individual roles.

·     Improv exercises: Use improvisational theatre techniques to build communication skills.

·     Personality assessments: Use tools like MBTI or DiSC to understand team dynamics better.

·     Mentorship programs: Pair team members for mutual learning and support.

We provide a Dream Team Experience Day that combines some of the above items, another great way to get your leadership on track with teamwork.

#DataDrivenLeadership #TeamPerformance #WorkplaceProductivity #DreamTeamExperienceDay

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• September 27, 2024

🔑 Another Key to Unlocking Exceptional Teamwork – Trust

Trust – do you trust your team?

Trust is the bedrock upon which all effective teamwork is built. It creates a psychologically safe environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and being vulnerable.

91/92 with Leeds was a season during which we all had complete trust in one another—but it had to be earned, worked on and safeguarded.

In high-trust teams:

1. Communication flows freely
2. Conflicts are addressed constructively
3. Innovation thrives
4. Productivity/performance increases
5. Employee engagement and satisfaction improve

Components of Trust in Teams

1. Competence Trust: Belief in teammates’ abilities to do their jobs effectively.
2. Interpersonal Trust: Confidence in teammates’ intentions and integrity.
3. Institutional Trust: Faith in the organisation’s fairness and support.

There are many strategies to build and maintain trust, but I believe there is one component that rises above all others:

Lead by Example

1. • Leaders must model trustworthy behaviour
   • Be transparent about decisions and challenges
   • Admit mistakes and show vulnerability

There are ways of measuring trust and addressing breaches of trust, which will still inevitably occur even in high-trust environments.

Building trust is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. It requires consistent effort and attention from all team members, especially leaders.

I played for several teams where the trust element was very high. I used to stand in the tunnel before a game, look around at my teammates, and think, “I trust these guys; there is no way we’re not winning this game!”

Trust—When a teammate makes a mistake, it is an opportunity to help and support them, not blame and criticise. I’m curious if some of my managers got that memo!

#TeamExcellence #Leadership #Teamwork #DreamTeam

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• September 25, 2024

“Teamwork is overrated: I’m a lone wolf”

“Teamwork is overrated; I’m a lone wolf”

Shocked? Good. Now, let me explain why this statement is WRONG.

We are all part of a team in one way or another, and in today’s complex business landscape:

– 86% of employees cite a lack of effective communication and collaboration for workplace failures

– Companies promoting collaborative working are 5x more likely to be high-performing

I’ve seen a good few companies that work in silos – the outcomes are never pretty for the organisation.

Even in single-player sports (tennis, golf, athletics, etc.), athletes rely on a diverse support team to perform at their best. For example, Rafa Nadal has a team of seven: a player, coach, manager, physical therapist, personal trainer, press agent, and assistant coach. They are not lone wolves.

Teamwork isn’t just important—it’s critical.

But here’s the catch: True teamwork goes beyond just ‘working’ together.

It’s more about:

– Synergy: Where 1+1=3 – your team needs to be greater than the sum of its parts.

– Trust: The foundation of all great teams

– Diversity: Different perspectives and skillsets driving innovation and expertise

Have you ever been part of a team that made you feel invincible? What made it special? I believe the team around you is your superpower…. or it can be your kryptonite!

I felt that twice in my football career—first at Chelsea in 88/89 when we went unbeaten for 27 league games and second at Leeds in 91/92 when we went unbeaten at Elland Road for the whole season. It didn’t happen often, but it was what we always strived for.

What are your experiences?

#TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #Collaboration #DreamTeam #Leadership

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• September 23, 2024

🔑 One of the 6 Keys – Clear Shared Goals

Clear Shared Goals – are all of your team aligned?

Clear, shared goals are the compass that guides a team to success. They provide direction, align efforts, and create a sense of purpose.

Key aspects:

• Specificity:

Goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). So, if you’re Everton or Southampton this season, don’t aim for the Champions League! Maybe next year…

• Visibility:

Display goals/targets prominently and refer to them regularly. In football, this was easy—the league table was everywhere and a reminder of your progress.

• Alignment: Ensure individual goals support team goals, which in turn support organisational objectives. We all want to improve and do a good job, but it must lead to the overall objective.

If a defender has a personal goal of scoring five times in a season, but if he keeps staying up front and not defending, we’ll lose matches!

Conduct periodic goal-setting sessions, during which team members collaborate to define objectives, ensuring buy-in and understanding from all.

Some football managers I played under set monthly points targets, which allowed for dropping points but still gave the possibility of achieving your target points haul. Even the best can’t win every game.

What’s your goal for your business? Hopefully, all of your team are on the same page!

#TeamExcellence #LeadershipTips #Teamwork #DreamTeam

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• September 20, 2024

🔑 6 Keys to Unlocking Exceptional Teamwork

Exceptional Teamwork

After studying the various teams I have participated in, from the highest-performing teams (title-winning…twice!) through to the other end of the scale (relegation fodder….twice!) – here’s what sets them apart:

1. Clear Shared Goals

Everyone knows the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind their work and strives to achieve the shared goal.

2. Trust

Trust is the bedrock upon which all effective teamwork is built. Without trust, you have problems…and lots of them!

3. Open Communication

No idea is too small, no question too silly. Create a safe environment for clear communication.

4. Diverse Skill Sets

Complementary strengths create a robust team. Approach problems from multiple angles. You really wouldn’t want a team with all of the same skills – imagine eleven goalkeepers! They’re all a little crazy 😊

5. Mutual Accountability

Success (and failures) are shared, peer to peer accountability needs to be strong! It’s not about blame but about supporting each other to meet commitments

6. Celebration of Milestones

Whether big or small, victories are acknowledged. During my career, sometimes a little too much!

Which of these resonates most with you? What would you add to the list?

Thoughts on each one in the coming days.

#TeamExcellence #LeadershipTips #Teamwork

Want to supercharge your team’s performance? Let’s connect and chat about tailored workshops or our dream team experience days.