It’s always amazing when I encounter a team that works really well together. The team is so efficient and productive, and they truly run like a well-oiled machine.
When you were a kid, teamwork was a big deal. When you played sports or did group projects in school, it was all about teamwork.
Today, you work with (or lead) a group of people on a daily basis. That is your team! Do you know what it takes to work effectively as a team? Do you know how to inspire the best in your team?
There’s so much we can all learn about strengthening our own teams, whether it’s our family team, our sales team, our work team or even our charity team.
Today I want to share an experience I had recently with one of the teams inside our company.
We started our nationally-syndicated radio show in January 2012, and it has grown tremendously over the last year and a half. We are now on 101 radio stations plus Sirius XM, and as of this month, The Dani Johnson Show is now on 22 million televisions across the state of Texas and in New York City.
When I step into the studio and go live on the air, you hear my voice and see my face. But you don’t see or hear the rest of the team that makes this show happen every week. There is a team of 8 or more people who work before, during and after the show to make it run smoothly and to make the show a success. Not to mention the team who runs the business side of it — the sponsors and the sales team.
During one show recently, I asked our awesome technical producer, Ivan, to do something for me during a break. He said, "No problem, I’ve got it!" I said, "Ivan, you’re the best!" What he said next was so profound. He said, "Well, the team makes it look easy." I said, "That is so awesome! That’s what teams are supposed to do!"
I wanted to share this conversation with you today because I believe so many people miss the real purpose of a team.
Each part of your team has a different function, but you’re on the same team and you’re moving forward toward a common goal.
On our team, our technical producer and our content producer have totally different jobs, but without each of them, we could not reach our goal of bringing The Dani Johnson Show to you each week.
As part of a team, your goal is not perfection. We all have weaknesses — every single member of your team has weaknesses, including you! And that’s nothing to be afraid of! Do not be afraid for your weaknesses to be exposed. The reality is, you don’t have to know everything or have all the answers!
What most people do is try to hide their weaknesses, or even run from them. They pretend their weaknesses simply don’t exist and they make excuses for them. But that does not make them go away! That actually hinders the progress of the entire team.
The beautiful thing about being part of a team is you cover each other’s weaknesses.
Each member of our TV & Radio team has different responsibilities, but they still work together as a team. They each work in their strengths and they cover each other’s weaknesses. And guess what — they make it look easy! As I told Ivan that day, that’s what good teamwork looks like.
I’d really encourage you to evaluate yourself and your team today. How does your team work? Do your team members feel safe to be human and expose their weaknesses? Does your team compete with each other, or do they work together and cover each other’s weaknesses?
There will always be room for improvement in this area, whether you are the leader or a brand new team member. Share this message with your team today to get everyone on the same page. It’s amazing what can happen when a group of people starts moving together in the right direction! It can literally transform the entire team! Share this post on Facebook and Twitter!
Be sure to catch The Dani Johnson Show on your TV or radio this Sunday night, and see our team in action! I can’t wait to talk to you LIVE and hear what you have to say!
In great faith,
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Have you ever taken a look around and wondered how the heck you got where you are? Like you just stumbled into the wrong place… with the wrong people… doing the wrong thing… at the wrong time?
Here’s a huge secret about millionaires and financially-independent people. These people have a purpose for their income and know exactly where every dime of their money goes. The rest of the population has no idea.
Do you wish you could pay off debt, wish you could afford that romantic getaway with your sweetie, travel more or help feed orphans? Maybe you just want to put money aside for your child’s education.