Performance: The Secrets of Successful Behaviour

Chapter 8. How do you create winning teams?

	Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence upon one another, and of strength to be derived from unity.
	--(Vince Lombardi)

We know a lot about what makes teams effective. One interesting bit of research (interesting not only because it is highly off-beat) conducted by Manfred Kets de Vries, is a study of teamwork among pygmies. There are 10 or more pygmy tribal groups living in the Congo-Zaire basin. They are essentially foraging groups whose habitat is hostile and difficult. Effective teamwork is critical for them. Kets de Vries noted that pygmy groups are characterized by seven characteristics. They:

• demonstrate a high level of respect and trust for one another;

• are supportive and protective ...