Going the extra mile together: teamwork for performance

Collective performance

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Businesses, like sports teams, cannot thrive without a solid group dynamic. "There is no 'I' in team... but there is an 'I' in win" said Michael Jordan, and he was right. Individual performance, however impressive, is only as strong as the collective.

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Companies that encourage collaborative working are 5 times more likely to have high performance(1). It's no coincidence that these figures resonate with those of the most successful sports teams, where collective training and team cohesion are at the heart of success.

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Key roles in the sports team and the company

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Every top-level athlete is surrounded by a caring, high-performance ecosystem. From the coach to the physiotherapist and the team-mate, every player plays a decisive role:

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• The coach: sees beyond current capabilities and pushes the team to go ever further. In business, he's often the manager, the one who inspires and motivates his teams.
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• The coach : adopting an individual approach to promote the personal development of each athlete. HR has a role to play here by offering training, coaching sessions, and ensuring work/life balance.
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• The physiotherapist: overseeing physical recovery, preventing and treating injuries. In companies, this role is taken on by the occupational physician, who is responsible for preserving the physical and mental health of employees.
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• Teammates: those with whom we share successes and failures, those on whom we can rely. Cultivating team spirit in the workplace means fostering collaboration, mutual support and mutual recognition.
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• Family and friends: unfailing moral support for top athletes and employees alike. The company contributes to work-life balance, notably through policies to support parenthood and flexible working hours and location.

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The Olympic Games, a lesson in resilience and solidarity

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In 2021, the Tokyo Olympic Games were marked by very special conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation, absence of spectators and strict health restrictions tested the resilience of the athletes. These Games showed just how crucial the support of loved ones and supporters is to athletes' performance.

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Without the cheers of the spectators and the moral support of their families, many athletes felt the added pressure and stress. This was particularly true of American gymnast Simone Biles. During the Tokyo Olympics, she made the courageous decision to withdraw from several competitions to preserve her mental health. Social isolation exacerbated her difficulties, underlining just how essential emotional support is for maintaining motivation and concentration. Even at the top, no one succeeds alone.

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This lack of support is a mirror for companies. Like athletes, employees can be deeply affected by a lack of recognition and support. The Tokyo experience reminds us that, even at the peak of their careers, individuals need a support network to flourish and perform at their best. In the workplace, this translates into the need to cultivate an environment where every employee feels supported, valued and surrounded, even in difficult times.

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Team sports: a perfect illustration

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There's no better way to understand the power of teamwork than through team sports. Whether in handball, basketball or rugby, team spirit is the key to success. Each player has a precise role, but it's coordination and cohesion that make the difference.

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Take rugby, for example: a winning scrum is the result of perfect synchronization and shared strength. A company works the same way. A successful project is often the fruit of a harmonious collaboration in which each member contributes his or her part. As Michael Jordan once said, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and collective intelligence win championships."

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Just imagine: your company is a basketball team. Each player plays a crucial role. The leader (the manager) distributes the ball, organizes the game and leads the strategy on the court. The back (the salesman) shoots baskets and scores points for the team. The pivot (the accountant) protects the basket, or the company's finances. And let's not forget the coach (the HR manager), who ensures team cohesion. 

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In fact, we've learned 4 lessons from top-level sport to strengthen the corporate team.

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Cultivating teamwork in the workplace

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For HR managers, the challenge is to create and nurture this team spirit on a daily basis. Here are 5 tips for cultivating team spirit in the workplace:

1. Develop a strong corporate culture: shared values, a common vision, and rituals that reinforce a sense of belonging.
2. Promote open, transparent communication: encourage exchanges, constructive feedback, and create discussion forums.
3. Implement collaborative tools: use platforms that facilitate teamwork, knowledge sharing and project management.
4. Organize team-building events: sports activities, team-building workshops, or outings that strengthen bonds between employees.
5. Recognize and celebrate success: every victory, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. This boosts team morale and motivates people to give their best.

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Want more? Discover our guide to building bridges in hybrid teams.

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Putting the team at the heart of your HR strategy means building a close-knit, high-performance team. Olympic champions show us that behind every medal is teamwork, a support network and a shared determination to succeed. It's the same dynamic at work: individual performance shines when it's backed up by a solid, united team.

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By cultivating team spirit, supporting your employees and celebrating every success, you create an environment conducive to performance. Together, we go further, and victory is all the sweeter for it. So, are you ready to transform your team into an Olympic collective?

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<font size="-1">Nos sources</font>

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<font size="-1">(1) Institute for Corporate Productivity and Rob Cross, Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Business at Babson College</font>

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