What is a TEAM?

Wikipedia defines TEAM as: 

A team comprises a group of people linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.

A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his or her strengths and minimize his or her weaknesses.

   I would like to think I know a little bit about TEAMs and TEAM work.  For the last 11yrs I have worked in the military as an Infantryman and Infantry officer.  Arguably the American Infantryman understands the importance of team work better than any one else.

Most recently my expirence has been as a company commander.  A job I consider to have a lot of parallels to that of a Head Coach of a proffesional sports team.  As a commander you must integrate highly skilled individuals, with varying skill sets, in to a cohesive team in order to accomplish all asigned tasks and missions.    

In my 11yrs I have come across individuals who have felt they were bigger then the team.  I can tell you with 100% certainty no one is bigger then the team, no matter how skilled they are.  The uniqueness of my job is in understanding not even the commander is more important then the team.  In fact one of my tasks and responsibilities is to make sure that my 2nd in command is prepared to and trained to take my place if need be to better serve the team.  Something you will not see in professional sports. 

In my past whenever I encountered individuals who thought they were bigger than the team I did what I could to help them understand the importance of team work.  When they couldn’t grasp that I did what I could to get them off my team as soon as possible no matter how talented they were.  I will take 5 average soldiers who want to be part of the team over 4 average and 1 super stud who doesn’t want to be there or thinks he is more important then the others any day of the week.

I say all this to say that I believe Coach is trying to build a TEAM.  I recognize Mr. McDaniels’ efforts to try and put together a group of individuals who understand no one is above the team.  I can see that Coach McDaniels obtains the skill set of a excellent and effective leader.  I stand behind you Coach McDaniels and I would gladly follow you.  Thank-you for all your efforts in making the Broncos a TEAM.

Go Broncos!

13-3 Baby!