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Teamwork: Trust, respect…and like?
Teamwork: Trust, respect…and like?
Championship teams operate at the highest level of interdependency. Here is a comment you will rarely hear from a fully functioning team: “He/she doesn’t like me”. Along the same line, you almost never hear someone ask, “Do you think he or she likes me?”
Several years ago, I was attending a leadership seminar and was sitting next to a valued colleague of mine who I had worked with on several projects. Jane said, “You know Steve, when I first met you I didn’t like you. Did you know that?” I said that I had assumed she didn’t based on her body language (non-verbal communication). I then said, “And you know something Jane: I think we have come a ways since then. I think that now you tolerate me. She quickly agreed by saying “Yes…exactly!”
Many of us may remember the film critic team of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. Once in an interview, Mr. Ebert made the comment: “People think that Gene and I don’t like each other. That is not accurate. The truth is…we can’t stand each other!
So how important is the “like” factor? Consider our country’s founding fathers. Did they like each other? Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of independence and in doing so counted on John Adams for his input and perspective. For the last 20 years of their lives, they were not on speaking terms. (Ironically, they both died on the same day: July 4th 1826) The founding fathers did not have time to fret over likes and dislikes: They were building a new country, and they needed to focus on what was right, not who was right.
Another example is the Jordan-era Chicago Bulls. Both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did not like Dennis Rodman. Those were their personal preferences. As a team, did they get the job done? Judging from the number of championship rings they have, I’d have to say yes.
So much for the “like”. How about trust and respect? Is that important? Absolutely. Here’s the point: If everyone likes each other, that is nice. As a leader, formal or informal, we need to do our part to build trust and respect throughout our team. Then, go for the championship!