Merriam-Webster defines Epic as: extending beyond the usual or ordinary.
Nobody wants to be considered ordinary. It’s why we spend so much time filtering our selfies before posting them.
Nobody sets out to build a run-of-the-mill team either. It’s why we spend so much time reading, studying and talking about team building.
When it comes to building an epic team, we have to remember that our team is our first client. They are our brand. They are the ones that tell and live our brand stories.
Examples of epic teams:
• Championship Sport Teams
• Special Forces in the Military
• Emergency Rooms
• Indy Car Pit Crews
• Orchestra’s
• Firefighters
These teams have an end goal and it’s not to become a high performing team. Their goal is sustained epic performance over time. Results - a trophy, completed mission, saving a life, fast pit stop, standing ovation or rescuing one from a fire - are the real goals, as they are the heart of what makes a team epic in the first place.
To build a thriving community of clients being served in ways clients love to talk about, we first have to build teams with amazing people. There’s no better way to understand where we’re starting than with a simple overview of your current team.
Here’s an assessment to determine how epic your team currently is.
Rating: 1 (poor), 2 (neutral), or 3 (Epic)
Communication:
1. Does my team clearly know what is expected of them and how we measure success?
2. Is there a strong sense of trust amongst teammates to have each others back and to call one out if needed?
3. Am I aware of my teammates personality style and do I speak their ‘language’ when it comes to goal setting, feedback and vision casting?
Empowerment:
1. In the last seven days, have I recognized or praised each teammate for doing good work?
2. Do I motivate my teammates by giving them a seat at the table to let their ideas be heard?
3. Does my team feel secure enough in their role to attempt something that might not work - aka: do they feel safe enough to fail?
Growth:
1. Do I teach and model epic leadership skills on a regular basis for my team?
2. Am I delegating simple tasks or giving them ownership of the results?
3. Are they positioned in the right roles to perform to their fullest potential?
4. Am I growing myself as a leader to continue to lead from the front?
Building this type of self-awareness about your leadership and team building skills is invaluable. The mark of an epic team is clarity around how their individual roles lift their teammates and help fulfill the vision of their facility.
When can mark all 3’s in this assessment, hold on tight: Amazing things are about to happen.
Coaching Tip: Developing self-awareness is key to lasting success. Give your team a piece of paper and ask them to list your top 3 strengths and 1 blind spot in your leadership abilities.
