7 Principles to Building a Winning Team.
NFL fantasy football is one of the most popular sports trends of the last decade. A virtual concept that allows football fans to select real players to build their personal NFL team. Fantasy football gives the average fan the opportunity to act like real NFL general managers which greatly enhances the NFL experience. This allows them to research player and team statistics in real time. This is designed to help fans to select the right players to build a winning team. However, while conducting research to find the best players for my team, I discovered that many of the strategies and principles I used to build a winning football team could also be used to build powerful teams in business, charitable and religious organizations.
This information caused me to research the origins of such principles which led me directly to the Bible. Little did I know that the principles I used to assemble a winning team were proven, time-tested principles used by the greatest team builder of all time, Jesus Christ.
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus strategically recruited a mixed bag of individuals called the ” Disciples” to carry out His plan of Salvation. After uncovering this truth, I realized that if Jesus Christ was the Author of team building principles, then not only should they be used in sports, but also to propel corporations, NGO’s and religious organizations to the next level.
Therefore, despite today’s emphasis on individualism, a theory that maintains that the interest of the individual ought to be sought before the interest of the group, by following Jesus Christ through the pages of the Gospels, we can replicate His team building strategies that will guarantee success for organizations of today.
Here are 7 Principles to Building a Winning Team from Jesus Christ:
1. Recruit Well
Every week in fantasy football, I comb the fantasy football universe looking for the best free agents to add to my roster. Every week I read scouting and injury reports to see if there is any unsigned player that can help me win next week’s game. You see in fantasy football the key is to win. And, to win you need the right players playing their best football at the right time. Being able to pick the right player is the difference between winning and losing. In some league’s winners receive handsome monetary rewards while in other leagues its more about bragging rights. But, regardless of the incentive, if you are going to win, then building a team with the right players is your first step toward success.
Centuries before virtual football fans decided to choose players for their fantasy rosters, Jesus Christ illustrated a clear principle regarding recruiting. Immediately after His temptation, Jesus started His personal ministry in the region of Galilee. Even though the primary goal of His ministry was to go the Cross, He knew the importance of building a winning team. According to the Bible, Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee to find His first recruits; He saw men fishing and immediately commanded them to follow Him. He called them away from their boats and nets and made them members of His team.
“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”Matthew 4:18
In the above scripture, Jesus reinforces the principle of recruiting the right people for your team, regardless of your objective, to be successful, you will have to find people to support your cause. Jesus’s mission was to die on the Cross for the sins of the world. And while this may seem like a one-man job, it required others who understood the significance of His death to serve as eyewitnesses of His life and to spread the good news.
Jesus called Peter and Andrew away from their jobs of catching fish to catch men or humankind for the kingdom of God. An obvious upgrade to their previous occupation, Jesus believed that the “hard work” required to catch boat loads of fish was a “transferable skills” that could be used to make His organization successful. The point here is that: if Jesus needed a team to accomplish His divine mission, then how much more will earthly organizations need to recruit the right people to meet their organizational objectives?
For organizations large and small finding the right people is the first step in building a winning team. Groups can greatly benefit by taking a page out of the playbook of Jesus Christ for building a powerful team. Howbeit effective, this may require using nontraditional recruiting methods. Like Jesus, companies should run “transferable skills analysis” to recruit talented people already hard at work in other sectors of the job market who may be a perfect fit for your corporation. Based on the high demand for top talent, companies cannot afford to sit and wait for the right people to land on their corporate doorsteps. Like Jesus, companies will have to go to where the talent is. From a more traditional standpoint, attending job fairs and recruitment seminars can do the trick.
2. Seek Diversity
One of the advantages of playing fantasy football is that it helps you to appreciate each player on your team. To win you must score points and you want everyone from the running backs to the kicker to score. Therefore, to be effective you must appreciate the diverse set of skills and talents that make up your roster. The same is applies if you are to win in business or in any other aspect of life.
Jesus Christ the Author of this principle used it long before footballers put teams together using the internet. He understood that to build a winning team it must consist of different people with different backgrounds displaying various perspectives and opinions. After recruiting hardworking Peter and Andrew, He looked to the other end of the social platform to enlist His next members.
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So, he arose and followed Him.” Matthew 9:9 NKJV
The first 2 disciples of Jesus Christ were fishermen but here Jesus shifts gears in His recruitment strategy and adds Matthew, a tax collector, to the fold. Peter and Andrew worked for a living and were required to pay taxes levied on all incomes by the Roman government. Matthew was a representative of the Roman government and responsible for collecting taxes from hardworking people like Peter and Andrew. I think you can see where this is going. What was Jesus thinking? Building a team with people representing polar ends of the social strata is a surefire recipe for disaster. Or is it?
I believe that Jesus deliberately chooses to turn most ancient and modern constructs of social behavior on their heads. Centuries before the first organizations were created, Jesus revolutionized the concept of team building by introducing the power of “diversity” into the fabric of organizational success. Having built a team to spread the gospel throughout the entire world, Jesus knew the collective power of joining people with different backgrounds to accomplish a common goal. He set out to build an organization that was different and more inclusive than the world around it. Jesus built a team with different perspectives, positions, and political affiliations to impact a world filled with people with different perspectives, positions, and political alliances. He knew that before the Gospel could change the world, it had to first change the disciples called to transform it.
Corporations and organizations of all sorts can benefit from the example of Jesus when building a team. We live in a world that is more diverse and globalized than at any time in our history. Large conglomerates and multi-national corporations should understand the importance of having a workforce that resembles the world in which they do business. In the global business environment of today diversity is the driving force behind a successful business. Recruiting people from different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds will be sure to build a team ready to take on the environmental, political, and economic challenges of the 21st century.
3. Teach Consistently
One of the amazing benefits of playing fantasy football is how it increases your knowledge of the game. Even though I played football in high school, the game has changed so much over the years that I really didn’t understand some of the more recent rule changes or offensive and defensive formations. To be effective in fantasy football you must become a real student of the game. Being willing to be a real disciple of the game is essential to winning week after week. Therefore, weekly I spent time on the NFL website and other apps designed to increase my knowledge of football. I found that the more eager I was to learn; the more tools and resources were available to teach me.
After choosing His team, Jesus understood the importance of teaching His disciples how to be effective for the kingdom of God. He taught them to be team oriented and to rely on each other for success. Often called “Rabbi” which is translated “Teacher” Jesus made teaching a major part of His business plan for the Kingdom. He did this in 2 ways: He taught in open forum like the Sermon on the Mount, and then in less public settings where He explained the meaning to parables to the disciples in private. Another key element Jesus introduces to formal and informal training regimens is the test. Yes, the test. Jesus implemented the test to track individual performance so that every disciple would know where they stood in areas pertaining to their faith.
In this scripture, we see that Jesus chooses an open and more formal method of teaching. He chooses to teach the disciples in public near the lake.
“Again, Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge”. Mark 4:1-2
However, in subsequent scriptures we see Him move to a more private setting to explain what was taught to the disciples in further detail. He also tested them to see how much they retained.
“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that… Mark 4:10
And then comes the test.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.
In the last few verses, we see Jesus established teaching sessions in a boat near the lake. In the first example, He taught the multitude along with disciples. In the next example, He taught the disciples in a private setting. And, in the third example, He took the classroom (Boat) out into the water to test the disciples on what He taught them. According to the scripture, while Jesus and the disciples were crossing the lake a storm arose. The disciples being tested on faith became afraid and called Jesus who was asleep inside the boat. When Jesus was awakened the test was over. He calmed the fears of the disciples by calming the wind and the waves. Jesus then evaluated the disciple’s faith.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4: 39-40
Teaching consistently is important for organizations whose success will depend on building effective teams. In business, just as in life, success rarely come prepackaged nor do people come with all the attributes necessary to reach their full potential. Though talented, they will need personal development to take your organization to the next level. This can be done by making tuition assistance available for formal educational programs geared toward advanced degrees. Informal training can be made available through on-site professional development programs designed to enhance writing skills, leadership, or conflict resolution. For professional development courses, test scores can be compiled to gauge individual progress during manager evaluations and should be used as a measurement for advancement.
4. Make Changes
Another advantage of fantasy football is the ability to change current rosters. Even after the initial team has been selected team owners can trade players who are not performing for more productive ones. Remember it’s all about winning.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus gives us a perfect example of constantly evaluating the current pool of talent to see if all members are pulling their weight or reaching to meet their highest potential. This example came in the form of Jesus’s relationship with Judas Iscariot. Anyone who has read the Bible knows that Judas was the disciple who betrayed Christ.
For entrepreneurs, business owners, or executives this is a concept that should be adopted for maximum success. Unfortunately, every employee will not embody the vision of the leader or the organization and should be replaced before they cause damage to the team or the brand you have worked so hard to build. An article in the Economist reported that corporations that kept unproductive or disgruntled employees on board longer than necessary exposed the company to increased potential of financial loss due to theft. The article revealed that not replacing employees in a timely manner further jeopardized vital security information. Even worse, the article revealed that the risk of vandalism and sabotage to vital infrastructure increases as persons whose productivity has decreased remain as employees.
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13: 21
5. Build Trust
One of the more difficult aspects of managing a fantasy football roster is knowing how long to stick with a current player. Let’s face it, the fantasy football season is long (16 weeks) and throughout the season players will experience ups and downs in performance. Even though you can trade and bench players for more productive ones, learning to stick with your top performer may yield the highest return. The best measure of a player is his consistency over a long period of time. Obviously, there was something about the player that led you to draft them in the first place. Just as in finance, sometimes a good stock may experience the volatility of the overall market, but in the end, return to outperform its long-term projections. Similarly, at some point, you must trust your pick.
Jesus was the ultimate trust builder, He took a group of people from different walks of life and made them a successful team. At first, the disciples didn’t see a lot that revealed that Jesus was the Son of God. But they trusted Him and walked away from their current occupations to be a part of something larger than themselves. However, the more time they spent with Him, He revealed more about His divinity and His purpose for recruiting them. Jesus knew that the disciples had to have faith that He was able to do the impossible. This would allow them to trust Him when things got tough. Jesus performed many miracles in the presence of the disciples- and to build trust, He often allowed them to participate. One such miracle was performed in Matthew 14:13-21.
Once while teaching, the crowds followed Jesus and the disciples into the desert. After a long day of preaching, it began to get late. The disciples decided to stop Jesus to allow the people time to get back to the villages to eat before it was dark. However, Jesus had another idea, instead of taking a break, Jesus told the disciple to feed the more than 5000 people where they were.
As you can imagine, the disciples were shocked; they didn’t have enough money to buy food for a multitude of followers. After a time of grumbling among themselves, they took a brief inventory and approached Jesus with all they had, 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. What they saw next really shocked them: Jesus took the 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread lifted it up blessed it and gave it back to the disciples to administer to the people. As the disciples gave the bread and fish to the crowd, the food began to multiply right in their hands. When they reached into the basket to get the last piece of fish, they would find 4 more pieces and so on. This continued until the entire multitude had eaten. But there is more, according to the scripture, Jesus then commanded the disciples to pick up the leftovers and there were over 12 baskets left over. What a miracle?
“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children” Matthew 14: 13-21
I believe that Jesus performed miracles of this sort, not only to build trust between Himself and the disciples but also to build trust among the disciples. The disciples were eye witnesses to the authenticity of Jesus’s ministry This created a bond among them. Even though Jesus performed the miracles, He allowed the disciples to participate. As a team, the disciples gave out the small fragments of fish and bread; And as a team they picked up the 12 baskets that were left over. The miracles were trust building exercises for the disciples, they reinforced the significance of their singular roles within the larger organization.
As this concept is true with Jesus and His disciples it is also true for those entrusted with leading small, medium, and large-cap organizations. Leaders must create a work environment where building trust is a priority. Just as Jesus Christ created time for team building exercises, so should leaders schedule periodic events for employees to bond. TinyPulse.com offers great team building exercises for your company. Building trust makes your organization stronger from top to bottom and prepares teams members to trust leaders and each other in difficult times. Unfortunately, mergers, acquisitions, and downsizings are a part of the capitalistic landscape of today. But building trust within your organization can help your team navigate the choppy waters regardless of the outcome.
Be a trust builder, not a trust buster.
6. Embrace Similarities
Another principle that helped me achieve success in my fantasy football league was to select players who had things in common. I picked players on the same NFL team that could potentially double my teams’ point production. For instance, I chose New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees as my starting quarterback. Drew Brees has one of the highest quarterback ratings in the NFL. However, to get the maximum points, I selected his teammate Alvin Kamara a running back who catches a lot of passes from Brees out of the backfield. With this strategy, I can expect a higher point production from players who practice together and who already work within the same offensive framework. In other words, the 2 players rely on each other for team success. Kamara and Brees have an additional financial incentive in working together for team success. I didn’t create this situation of common interest, I just tapped into it.
Well, in the Gospels when selecting a winning team, it appears that Jesus was already utilizing this concept of embracing similarities. This seems like a reversal of point 2, but it seeks to reinforce it. Within teams, there must be diversity. As we discussed earlier, diversity within a team concept makes it stronger and expands its ability to be effective. But this does not have to come at the expense of embracing similarities that can support the core values of your organization. The importance of these relationships is critical to building a winning team. People with similar values tend to work better in group settings.
Jesus’s trip to the Sea of Galilee represented more than a quest to find hard workers. He also wanted people with the right ethical and moral backgrounds. Jesus knew that competence was important, but not at the expense of character. He wanted someone with a strong work ethic who also could embrace the core values of His organization. If the disciples were going to be charged with spreading the Gospel to the world then Jesus knew that core values such as honesty and integrity would have to be the foundational of His administration.
“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit”. John 1: 47
In this verse, Jesus meets Nathanael and recruits him to become a disciple. The first thing mentioned in Jesus’s assessment of Nathanael is not his skill or talents but His character. Jesus says that there is no “deceit” or dishonesty in Nathanael. Jesus’s knew that finding people who had strong values such as honesty would support the values of Hos organization.
For-profit and nonprofit organizations alike, leaders can benefit from recruiting people that are honest. After all, “Honesty is still the best policy”. As policy companies should seek to hire people who are forthright and honest, failure to do so can result in monetary loss and damage to the reputation of your brand and organization. Studies show that dishonesty in the workplace erodes trust among team members and can damage the reputation of your business. On the other hand, honesty builds trust among teams and greatly enhances the reputation of your organization. Your company should be known for honesty and integrity in business relationships with others recruiting those who embrace similar core values can greatly enhance the profitability of your business.
7. Build Small Teams
Another strategy that worked well in using the combination of Drew Brees and Alvin Kanara was the concept of creating smaller teams within larger organizations. We have all embraced the concept of “teamwork”, but very seldom do you hear about “work teams”. As I stated earlier selecting Brees and Kamara offered me several benefits: points, familiarity, and common interest. For instance, depending on the number of teams in your league, you may not have the benefit of selecting more than 2 great players. If your fantasy league has 12 teams then it greatly diminishes the talent pool you must select from. So, to compensate for a lack of superstars, creating smaller teams can increase your productivity and your chances of winning.
According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Christ employed this principle long before we used our cell phones to select players in coffee shops. He knew He could maximize the power of the disciples if He broke them down into teams of 2. After the teachings and the miracles, the disciples were ready to go out as representative of Jesus Christ. Equipped with the same message being in teams of 2 allowed the disciples to cover more ground in a shorter period of time. Jesus understood that remaining in a larger team of 6 or 12 would make getting the word out cumbersome and slow. By breaking the group down from 12 to 2, Jesus simply substituted inefficiency for efficiency. And in business, that’s the name of the game.
“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” Mark 6:7
This should be great news for organizations of all types, positioning members in smaller teams promises to save your organization time and money. Studies have shown that larger groups within organizations are less efficient than larger groups. According to a Forbes article, larger groups move slower than smaller groups because of the need for more communication within a group. This redundancy is also known as “red tape”.
The article cites the “Ringelmann Effect” named after French engineering Professor Maximilien Ringelmann who conducted a study and found that when experimenting with people pulling a rope, when one person pulled the rope, they gave 100% effort, but when more people were added to the team, individual effort went down. According to Ringelmann, groups fail to reach their full potential because of various interpersonal processes that detract from overall group proficiency. In other words, when working in larger groups talented people tend to slack off. Based on this finding, firms misappropriate valuable time, talent, financial resources when they assign important task to larger groups. After all, time is money.
“If a team cannot be fed by two pizzas then that team is too large”. Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.
In Conclusion,
Fantasy football is one of the most popular sports innovations of the 21st century. And, I must admit, it really revolutionized the way I see NFL Football. But what I didn’t realize was that many of the concepts I adopted to build a winning team had been employed over 2000 years ago by Jesus Christ the greatest team builder ever. Born in human form to carry out the mandate of the Cross, He took a group of the least likely participants, fishermen, Roman bureaucrats, and betrayers to form the most powerful team in the world.
As our example, Jesus left no stone unturned in providing ancient principles to help modern organizations win. Building trust, embracing similarities, and creating small teams will allow Fortune 500, nonprofits and NGO’s of today to take the field and tackle the challenges that lie ahead. While, seeking diversity, recruiting well, and making necessary changes will help groups score big in facing the challenges of the 21st century.
Masters Business 