Teamwork in the Workplace: What Can We Learn from Tom Brady?
As a legendary quarterback with seven Super Bowl championship rings, Tom Brady knows a thing or two about being a good teammate. But can his strategies for success on the field translate to the workplace?
The Importance of Appreciation
Brady emphasizes the value of appreciating unsung colleagues, saying, “To be a great team, everyone needs to feel valued – and it’s up to the leaders of the team to make sure that happens.” While this is true, teamwork expert Liane Davey suggests reframing this tip to appreciate colleagues with different goals. In the workplace, not everyone is working towards the same objective, and recognizing these differences can foster better relationships and lead to higher team performance.
Fostering a Culture of Effort
Brady attributes his team’s success to a culture of 100% effort, where players constantly competed to gain an edge on each other. However, Davey notes that this approach may not be realistic or healthy for most people. Instead, teams should clearly communicate when 100% effort is needed and when it’s acceptable to ease off. Transparency and open communication are key to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.
Giving Frank Feedback
One area where Brady’s advice carries over well to the workplace is the importance of giving frank feedback. “Because my teammates knew that I was invested in them, I was able to offer criticism without making them feel attacked,” Brady says. Great teammates hold themselves accountable without blaming others and provide candid and transparent feedback about how individual actions affect the team.
Building Trust and Connection
Brady also emphasizes the importance of bonding with teammates outside of work hours. While this may not be possible for everyone, Davey suggests creating opportunities for connection during work hours, such as brief conversations at the coffee machine or events during work hours. This can help build trust and support efficient decision-making by fostering shared experiences and understanding among team members.
Embracing Complexity and Conflict
Unlike sports, where goals and priorities are clear, the workplace is often characterized by complexity and conflict. Great team members must continuously reassess how their roles fit together and contribute to the organization’s goals. By embracing tension, healthy conflict, and discomfort, teams can improve overall performance and achieve success.
Lessons from Tom Brady
While Tom Brady’s strategies for success on the field may not directly translate to the workplace, there are valuable lessons to be learned from his approach. By appreciating colleagues with different goals, fostering a culture of effort, giving frank feedback, building trust and connection, and embracing complexity and conflict, teams can improve performance and achieve success. As Davey notes, “It’s great for us to ask what we can learn from other situations, but we have to be a little careful that we don’t oversimplify or use a standard for the 1% of the 1% of the 1%.”
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