What is a team? What makes some teams win over others, and how does that impact on our successes?
This past weekend I have watched several sporting events which were big for their own reasons, but out of which I got to observe the real key characteristics of teams in action.
Some things stand out:
- A willingness to do your part irrespective of what others are doing
- Understanding that dropping the ball by one of your team mates is just part of the nature of team activities and if you can help you do.
- In a team you don’t seek to get square, you just do it because you believe in the team.
- There is no I in team but there is a me. I am allowed to revel in my successes and get rewarded for them but ultimately me is just part of team.
- Teams lose when the I thinks it is bigger than the group.
- Every team needs leaders – leaders in action more than words, but leaders none the less.
In an article I read Mick Malthouse (shame he coaches the Pies – but everyone deserves employment I guess), he talks about the true quality of character, that shines when the chips are down and in hard times (yes it is a cliche but it is true).
(more…)
So I will set the scene first. Tonight I attended a special presentation of Picasso and his collection, at GOMA, in Brisbane. This presentation was for people associated with Queensland Leaders and was presented to us by the GOMA Director, Tony Ellwood.
Apart from the fact this unique exhibition of Picasso’s work and his own personal collection (well some of it), was a great exhibition Tony gave us an insight into the history of Picasso (view: BBC History) and some of the influences on Picasso and his artwork.
Picasso is different to many artists, in several ways;
- he made a lot of money during his lifetime, rather than his value being raised after his death.
- he tried, experimented with and successfully worked with many styles throughout his long career
- he collected art from many other artists, and respected and promoted art / artists throughout his life
While I am no Picasso expert, what impressed me most about this exhibition was the way he approached his art with an open mind and a desire to continually evolve.
So what sort of web designer would he be?
So last week was my second hit of Queensland Leaders. As discussed by previous participants, you definitely get more each time from it.
This week we had presentations from a whole raft of people, but including ABN Amro Morgans (Philip Lee), McMahon Clarke Legal (Langton Clarke) and BBS (Amanda Newbery). Sometimes it is hard in short sessions to gather all your thoughts together, but these 3 were all very relevant to me / ireckon at this time and it had my mind spinning a little.
Particularly useful was a checklist provided by Langton Clarke which covered about 100 questions, to check how investment ready you are. As ireckon has grown so quickly over the last few years, I often look back at the trail left behind by the growth whirlwind wondering if all is in order.
(more…)
