5 tips to build a winning team that can handle anything

1. The team is the only unit of performance that matters. Dr. André Martin, an organizational psychologist, emphasizes that in today's rapidly changing world, the team is the most crucial factor for success. He provides the example of Hurricane Harvey, where ordinary people formed the Cajun Navy without any hierarchy or training and saved thousands of lives. At Google, when the pandemic hit, the team he led created an onboarding program virtually in a matter of days, showing the power of collective confidence.

2. You cannot motivate your way to confidence. In a story about the USS Honolulu, a weapons system issue forced the crew to work under pressure and exceed the expectations of the inspectors. Admiral John Richardson explained how the crew's confidence grew over the year leading up to the exam, as each sailor was given the truth in two parts: the hard reality and the help available from mentors. This example highlights that confidence is built gradually and is contagious.

3. Everyone needs to know why they matter. For Burning Man, an annual event in the Nevada desert, thousands of people volunteer to build a temporary city. Among them, Camp Corny stands out with its tradition of giving stuffed animals to participants, which brings happiness and contributes to the collective spirit. The author calls this contributory confidence, where individuals understand that their skills and efforts are valuable to a specific group.

By knowing their importance, people become more confident and motivated to contribute to the team's success.