Pat Williams is co-founder of the Orlando Magic NBA team and is on the promotion circuit for his new book Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams. You might have guessed that is about his formula for building high-performance teams. The full interview in the paper is here but here are the juiciest bits.

  • You can’t have a great team unless you have outstanding talent.
  • Extremely talented people tend to be demanding and individualistic. For that reason, many organizations seem more comfortable with average performers who may be easier to manage but won’t have what it takes when times are tough.
  • Talent is essential but there is more you’ve got to look for in the people you hire: honesty and integrity – meaning their walk and talk match
  • Positive, inspirational and encouraging messages will raise the level of enthusiasm of an organization.
  • A lot of cheerleading goes on in a great team. The Amway Corp. owns the Orlando Magic, and its president, Richard DeVos, calls himself the head cheerleader. Here’s how he talks to you: “You’re doing a great job; I’m so proud of you; we couldn’t have done it without you.”
  • Even pros have to be reminded at times that they do have great ability.
  • Make each day your masterpiece
  • Even when things don’t seem to be going your way, you’ve got to look for things that are working, and you’ve got to celebrate them. And when things go your way, you ride the momentum as hard as you can, because, let’s face it, there are no guarantees anywhere.
  • If you’ve got professionals who believe in and support each other, you can make your own luck.
  • Tips for dream team building:
    • Dream big – Bold, extreme dreams capture the imagination. When people believe they are involved in something big, they’ll sacrifice to make it happen.
    • Think yin and yang – In forming teams, find people with a variety of strengths that complement each other.
    • Keep it light – Be a guide and adviser, rather than a rule enforcer. Fear squelches communication and suffocates creativity.
    • Give everyone glory – Recognize achievements of star performers, but also acknowledge and reward the supporting players. Everyone has a role in making the team a success.