To be an IMPACT Team You Must do These 3 Things

There are teams everywhere - in sports, in business and in social settings. But just because you are part of a team, it doesn’t mean it’s a good team. From your own experiences, you probably would struggle to name a good team you have been part of in your past let alone a great team. Then, the very few are able to be part of an IMPACT Team.

In the mess that currently exists in collegiate sports due to NIL and the transfer portal, building team chemistry is almost impossible. It typically takes years of kids playing together to build connections through repetition and comradery that allows a great team to be built. But with the new era of hired guns, it’s an uphill battle to get people to move from focusing on themselves to focusing on the team. 

But it can be done. But it requires you to first spend your time in the classroom with players learning how to be a team before putting the time in practicing what a team would look like on game day.

While the importance of impact on teams and individuals is something that I spend a lot of time on in my 3 Pillars of Impact sessions I first introduced the IMPACT Team to this Blog just a couple of months ago. 

From my studies what I found is that IMPACT Teams all place an emphasis on these 3 things:

• Communication
• Roles
• Growth

IMPACT Teams Communicate
It’s not enough to recognize that communication is essential, but IMPACT Teams focus on HOW they communicate with their teammates. They recognize that communication is a two-way street and that your intention for communication isn’t always how it is received or perceived by others.

IMPACT Teams know that individuals will be more willing to flex their communication style to match up with the style of others, when a foundation of trust has been established. It’s essential so that teams can be open and honest with each other and trust that they are communicating to help and not to harm. 

IMPACT Teams Have Roles
Many times, you see a team made up of stars or high achievers, but the teams never seem to reach their potential. A common failure point in those situations is that the team has taken the time necessary to define the roles of the individuals. 

It’s not always easy for people to adjust to fit a role that is needed, but not one that they see themselves filling. Because this can be a laborious process and one where you can easily lose the person, we spend a lot of time on the Communication process above so that we go beyond WHAT we are saying, and focus instead on HOW we are saying it.

Having that Communication structure in place we turn our attention into the Shared Vision that we can utilize to establish a ground zero. It can’t be the Coach’s vision or the Boss’s vision alone. It must be a shared vision that the entire team can get behind and become aligned. 

Once we have agreement, we start breaking down the roles that are required and through our KARS Process, we build a framework that shows the value every member of the team rings to move them toward the Shared Vision.
KARS Process

• Knowing the Roles
• Accepting the Roles
• Respecting the Roles
• Starring in the Roles

We cap that off by bringing out what i call the “I SEE YOU’s” where we show respect and appreciation for our teammates by publicly recognizing the value that each brings.

IMPACT Teams Grow
Finally, all of this leads to the growth of the team and the team members. Even though you know, accept, respect and star in your current role, it doesn’t mean that you don't desire a different role or that a different role will be required of you in the future.

We will break down your skills and abilities and look at where they can be leveraged for growth. We identify your challenge areas and either try to “de-risk” them or find ways to overcome your challenges through individual IMPACT plans.

The reality of the Transfer Portal forces Coaches to look at the players differently. While players may be willing to work hard on their skills and game, are they willing to work with the same commitment and passion on their personal growth as a teammate? This is what will change the recruiting landscape. 

Ultimately as we grow as individuals and grow in our understanding of the needs of the team, our team will grow. This is the process to become an IMPACT Team, Beyond Today.

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If you would like to find out more about bringing IMPACT Teams to your program reach out and let's talk.