Team spirit is an intangible thing that expands beyond a simple definition. Its a force within a group of people, like a football team or a military division, that binds them together. It encourages them to work together and gives them purpose, especially during the toughest times. Its not about creating a false sense of camaraderie, but instead digging into the members shared values and passions. When team spirit is present, it can turn a good team into a great one—and a great one into a championship team.
Team spirit is something that might take a while to build, but through good training and a shared focus on the common goals of the team, it will eventually permeate. Even the toughest teams need to keep in mind that team spirit is something that contributes to success, not just a side effect. To have team spirit, a team must foster an environment of trust and support, where the members can come together to work hard and leave the battles of their lives outside.
At its simplest, team spirit is having an energy to bond and support each other, even in tough times. Its a kind of organic glue that brings people together to work towards a common goal. Every team is different, but there are a few core guidelines that apply to any teams spirit:
• Show respect: Respect inside any group is essential to building team spirit. Respect your team members and give yourself permission to take criticism. When someone messes up, don’t scold, take the time to teach and encourage.
• Share a code of behavior: A set of rules or values that all members understand help create a cohesive team spirit. Each team should have an understanding of what it expects of its members.
• Value everyone: Demonstrate that each members contribution is valuable. Encourage team members to share ideas and be brave. Praise for success and provide support during failure.
• Create a team identity: Give the team an identity that demonstrates its character and sets it apart from the competition. The role each member plays is integral to the teams performance.
• Have fun: Experiences of fun, whether through group activities outside of the teams primary purpose, are important for the teams morale.
• Dont forget to move forward: Despite goals achieved or failed, remember that its always possible to move forward. Even if a team doesnt reach its goals, it can still find ways to look ahead, set new goals and continue working together.
A great sports team once said, “Team spirit is that feeling of energy that comes from believing in what you are doing, feeling invested in something and having a passion for achieving greatness. It’s not just about having good results, but having a shared vision, trust in each other and a passion for the work that builds team spirit. This intensifies a teams desire to win, but also strengthens the bond among members, creating the conditions for high performance. Its not always easy to find, but once achieved, it can be the defining factor for success.
