Building a team: Who is it down to?

I'm forever asked the question, ‘We are building a team, so how do you think we should best do it ‘? Firstly , a brilliant question to ask. My response? Look at some of the brilliant groups which exist, and model how they do it. That occasionally feels like a cop out. Do you think it could actually be that simple? At BTFI, we have a framework and model, that works, for helping leaders to build great teams.

Did you watch the Academy Awards? I was asleep before it started and could not bear to prop my eyes open with pins and stay up for it. I expect it was evidently a night where some of the very best and most phenomenal talent was celebrated. Such as, leading actors, actresses, supporting artists, cinematographers, composers, designers, directors.

Was there any award for best team dynamic? Any statues for best teamwork? No! Of course not, although lots of the winners took a minute to recognise that it was a joint collusion and not just down to them.

Building a team: Everyone matters

I have been fortunate to play a lot of lead roles in West End and touring productions. Sometimes some of the fans get fixated with the ‘stars’ and it becomes all about them. Sometimes I might get the most cheers from the crowd, some nights not so much. Even though I wished to play a leadership role in that company, it was not just about me.

Building a team within the performance environment takes something really very special – it requires recognition from each company member; actor, singer, musician, follow spot operator, stage manager, wig assisitant -it’s NOT jjust about them, it is about the team. It is about our unique capability to recognise and value the contribution that the team makes. Without that, there’s no team.

I was lucky enough to be invited to be a part of Phantom 25th at the RAH in 2011. 25 years of the most extraordinary team work, celebrated over 3 performances.

Building a team: ‘You matter’

Yes, you. That’s it, I’m pointing at you. If you are a leader, and part of a team, how do we demonstrate that everyone is valued and give them encouragement to make a contribution, if you are to build an unbelievable team?

It takes time. It takes trust. Building a team, that is extraordinary – this means that not everyone ‘can sing the tune’, all of the time.

Motivational Speaker Richard Tyler leads Buildingateam which offer organisations extraordinary team building, leadership training and culture change events using art and performance.