The "Power" of a TEAM!!!!

Teamwork is so important that it is virtually impossible for you to reach the heights of your capabilities or make the money that you want without becoming very good at it. ~Brian Tracy

The above quote is so very true especially within our organization...In our world.."no one goes it alone"...
When I look at our company, state, our region, and our districts, its like a great race...let's keep in mind this race is not a sprint to the finish line it is like a marathon that last a lifetime. In this race your endurance and momentum keeps building as you keep pushing forward toward your dreams and your goals.
In this lifetime marathon there are no single winners and there are certainly no losers. We get up every morning and begin our tradition of training, conditioning and execution of our skills that move us closer and closer to victory. Sometimes we prevail and sometimes we fail but no matter what we can look to our right, look to our left, look up ahead and look behind knowing all the time that we are not in this alone. Never, ever alone. In this business there are so many peaks and valleys that it is crucial we have each other to pick us up when we stumble and celebrate with us when we win.
Below are 13 characteristics of a team...look at the list and internalize the ones you agree our team posses and think about what you can do to make our team better..Now it is human nature to look to someone else to fix things and to make them better, but tonight... I am challenging you...If this is your team...what will you do to make it better???
Characteristics of an Effective Team
1. The team members share a sense of purpose and common goals, and each team member is willing to work to achieve these goals.
2. The team is aware of and interested in its own processes and examines norms operating within the team.
3. The team identifies its own resources and uses them, depending on its needs. The team willingly accepts the influence and leadership of the members whose resources are relevant to the immediate task.
4. The team members continually listen to and clarify what is being said and show interest in others thoughts and feelings.
5. Differences of opinion are encouraged and freely expressed. The team does not demand narrow conformity or adherence to formats that inhibit freedom of movement and expression.
6. The team is willing to identify conflict and focus on it until it is resolved or managed in a way that does not reduce the effectiveness of those involved.
7. The team focuses on problem solving rather than allowing by interpersonal issues or competitive struggles to drain the team’s energy.
8. Roles are balanced and shared to facilitate both the accomplishment of tasks and feelings of team cohesion and morale.
9. To encourage risk taking and creativity, mistakes are treated as sources of learning rather than reasons for punishment.
10. The team is responsive to the changing needs of its members and to the external environment to which it is related.
11. Team members are committed to periodically evaluate the team’s performance.
12. The members identify with the team and consider it a source of both professional and personal growth.
13. Developing a climate of trust is recognized as the crucial element for facilitating all the above characteristics.
I love our team and that is the "real" reason I do what I do everyday. There is no amount of money, responsibility or recognition that gives me more personal satisfaction as I get from knowing we are truly a "Team".
Good night Team Epic and God Bless:)