The participants at this Meeting for the Aspen Junior Fellows noted that, unlike in the past, leadership today is measured by the ability to build a team, maintain a winning team spirit, and rally group members to “pull together” as a team. The event provided an opportunity to examine what constitute essential the building blocks for a successful team, how to maximize the performance of individuals in order to optimize that of the overall team, and whether defeats help improve team performance more than wins. It was suggested that these are just some of the questions leaders should necessarily ask themselves in an effort to build a winning group, in whatever field they may operate.
The ability to recruit the right people to a given team must – it was submitted – also be accompanied by a support structure for the team (that is, staff) of a standard commensurate with that team’s goals. It was emphasized that instilling a vision of the teams strategic objectives requires daily example and consistency. Direct communication with the team should be aimed at overcoming differences and building a climate of confidence that acts as a buffer against the effects of external pressure (such as from the media). Respect, an understanding of the relevant organization’s culture and operating conditions, and an ability to mediate between different views and attitudes were deemed especially important resources for any leader in the age of globalization.
Sport was singled out as an arena in which the ability of a leader to respond to such challenges are definitely put to the test. Particularly in football, the presence of players with strong personalities is as necessary as it is risky for the cohesion of the group. Winning may not be possible without great champions, but nor will it be if there is a lack of proper leadership capable of making champions work together in harmony. Hence, quality team members are the most essential ingredient for a successful group, provided that there is the right harmony between the various personalities, on and off the field, at all levels of staff. Quality must also be accompanied by the necessary efforts for it to be enhanced and honed. It was argued that talent cannot be bought, but certainly can – and should – be valued in the right measure. Indeed, there are many examples, in football as well as other sports, of talent that is untapped or is only partly used, due to a lack of application.
It was suggested that clear analogies can be drawn between the field of sports and the business world and other professional contexts characterized by teamwork. Having the right mental attitude was considered the key element without which talent and commitment cannot produce the expected results. While it is obvious that it is not possible to win every time, the importance of maintaining a winning attitude even in instances of defeat may be less so. Learning from mistakes so as not to repeat them is crucial, as is eagerly anticipating the first possible opportunity to demonstrate that lessons have been learned from those mistakes. Lastly, turning errors to advantage by transforming them into strengths was held up as a fundamental trait for team leaders, including so as to prevent the individual who made the mistake from losing the confidence of his or her teammates.