IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN WINNING TEAMMATES IN YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOU NEED TO CELEBRATE THEIR POSITIVE IMPACT…
I’m always honored and excited when I get invited to conferences to share a message to develop Effective Leaders and help companies build an exceptional workplace culture.
But one of the most important keynotes I share is What Winning Teammates DO Differently.
It is an honor to be trusted as a speaker to inspire employees to move from complacent to committed.
You are likely reading this today because YOU are part of a team…
And the kind of teammate you are determines more than what your team will accomplish…
It determines how much you will enjoy each day working with them!
I think the highest praise you can get is when someone says you are a great teammate– because I’ve found that a person’s impact is based on far more than their technical skills
People may be hired for technical skills…
But they are ultimately admired or fired for their interpersonal skills!
Whining teammates, jerks and slackers diminish team productivity…
But Winning Teammates have a positive impact on team performance.
In fact, developing Winning Teammates is what allowed the basketball teams I coached years ago to overachieve and experience the success they enjoyed over more talented opponents.
Among other things, Winning Teammates are the valuable lynchpins who other people depend on and always want to work with.
-They take personal responsibility for the team’s results…
-They are aware of and encourage others…
-They stay coachable…
-They have fun and stay positive…
-And they share frequent appreciation and thanks…
Because one thing I’ve learned in working with hundreds of leaders in virtually every industry to build and sustain a more positive and profitable culture is this:
WHAT GETS CELEBRATED USUALLY GETS REPEATED
…In fact, according to recent research, 92% of workers are more likely to repeat a specific action after receiving recognition for it.
…And 69% of employees say they would work harder if they felt they were better recognized
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So, if you want YOUR people to take the initiative to become a Winning Teammate, the best tool you have is who you recognize and celebrate for their behaviors…
I have spoken about this on stages around the country…
Celebrating winning teammates was a way to develop our culture when I was coaching basketball – and we had specific awards we would give out to emphasize the behaviors we wanted to see.
So more recently, when I meet someone who is clearly an exceptional teammate – someone who makes other’s better because of their uniquely positive efforts – I want to continue that practice and recognize them…
And in doing so, I’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME TO ENSURE THAT WINNING TEAMMATES GET RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR IMPACT.
Who on your team has had a positive impact on team performance?
Who on your team is the person others want to work with?
Who on your team makes things better for everyone else?
Who on your team would you describe as a Winning Teammate?
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As a leadership speaker I no longer work with my own team.
So I try to be intentional about recognizing the people that I see on other teams making a meaningful impact when I am traveling to or from conference events…
There are many individuals over the last year or two that I have taken a moment to thank – and to praise to their managers as making my experience an exceptional one.
Hotel staff…
Lyft drivers…
Restaurant servers…
Flight attendants…
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When you LOOK FOR people to appreciate their extra effort, you see more of them.
And one of those I would like to celebrate today is Ralph.
Ralph made my day the last time I flew…
If you have been through the Atlanta Airport in the last year or so, and passed through terminal B food court, you may have seen him…
He has a terrific smile, and is eager to assist customers to make their day easier.
When I first met him, he was pointing out an open table for me.
Thirty seconds later he arrived at my table unexpectedly – with a handful of napkins (which he noticed I had forgotten to grab).
And as I was getting ready to leave, he smiled and told me to have a great trip as he began wiping down my table for the next guest.
Ralph wasn’t hiding by the wall hoping to get away with as little effort as possible…
Ralph showed up to delight the people he met and served.
And my day was better because of his effort and enthusiasm.
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So – is there is someone on YOUR TEAM who deserves to be recognized?
Is there a person you would like to celebrate for their commitment to kindness?
Someone you have noticed who is consistently assisting others?
Someone who takes the initiative to doing what the team needs without being asked?
I’d love to help you recognize them!
Please reach out to share their name with me…
Share what company you are with.
And I will be thrilled to HELP YOU celebrate their impact as a Winning Teammate!
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Sean Glaze is an author and leadership expert who has worked with clients like Cisco, John Deere, Coca-Cola, and Emory University to increase collaboration, boost productivity, and build exceptional workplace cultures.
As a successful basketball coach and educator for over 20 years, Sean gained valuable insights into leading winning teams – and now he travels around the country to share those lessons…
Sean’s engaging conference keynotes and interactive team building events help accelerate the growth of more effective leaders.
And Sean’s books, Rapid Teamwork, The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates, and Staying Coachable are entertaining parables with powerful take-aways to improve team performance and leadership!