Just want to set the record straight – as a native New Yorker, it’s simply fact that I’m writing about the Yankees World Series win last night, using them as an exceptional example of teamwork. Now I understand the criticism, when you can ‘buy’ teamwork at the price the Yankees can afford it’s easy to undervalue the reality of what that team actually produces. Nonetheless, with an unprecedented history of performance, team members recruited from all over the world, stumbles and blunders along the way (both personal & professional) – they simply are an extraordinary team.

Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time. François Voltaire

Now those of you who’ve followed the Yankees over the decades (I can remember that rainy night, extra innings, 11pm, school night, 1970’s, my uncle & brother saying “we can’t leave now!”) surely realize that the Yankees didn’t get here overnight. Sometimes it seems that way when we look at extraordinary teams, extraordinary leaders, but that’s not reality. Instead, teams develop over time, with hard work, humility, and a series of setbacks with analogous advances.

So what do the Yankees and all teams need to succeed? Let me name some basics…

• A common goal
• An agreed upon mission
• Respect for one another
• Appreciation for all aspects and contributors of the team
• Shared understanding of the work it’s going to take to achieve the goal
• The realization and acceptance that members are different and add value and expertise in different ways
• Willingness to seek advice and assistance when needed

When you watch the parade tomorrow, think about what it would take for your team to achieve parade status.

• What’s in place to make that happen?
• What’s missing?
• What’s it going to take to get you there?

Congratulations Yankees – you’re a spectacle for the world to enjoy.

And a ‘thanks’ to my uncles – you set the stage for my understanding of greatness.

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