2 min read
Defining What It Takes to Be on Your Team

A Critical Step in Leadership Maturity

As leaders, it is crucial to have clarity about what it takes for someone to be a team member. Defining these qualities and traits sets the foundation for a highly productive and performance-based team. In this blog post, we will explore why determining what it takes to be on your team is a critical step in your leadership maturity.


Providing Clarity

When we have a clear understanding of the qualities and traits we look for in team members, it becomes easier to recruit and develop consistently. By defining what it takes to be on our team, we eliminate ambiguity and provide a clear roadmap for potential candidates. Clarity in expectations also helps us identify individuals who align with our vision and values, ensuring that we build a cohesive team with shared goals.


Developing High-Performance Teams

Defining what it takes to be on a team lays the foundation for developing high-performance teams. When team members know what is expected of them, they can align their efforts and work towards the common goal. Clarity in expectations fosters a sense of accountability, as each individual understands their role and responsibilities. This, in turn, leads to improved performance, productivity, and overall team success. 


Drawing inspiration from successful leaders like Deion Sanders, we can gain valuable insights into the qualities that make a great team member. Sanders highlights the importance of being smart, fast, tough, and having character. These qualities align with the needs of a high-performance team, where individuals need to make sound decisions, learn quickly, overcome challenges, and possess a strong moral compass.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

When defining what it takes to be on our team, we also confront our limiting beliefs. As leaders, we must recognize and overcome any self-imposed barriers that may hinder our team's success. By acknowledging our obstacles, we can lead by example and inspire our team members to overcome their limitations. This step towards personal growth and mindset shift contributes to leadership maturity and paves the way for a more resilient and thriving team.

Cultivating People Development Mindset

Defining what it takes to be on our team demonstrates our commitment to developing our people. When we invest in the growth and development of our team members, we create an environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement. By providing clarity on what is expected, we enable team members to identify areas for growth and work towards achieving their full potential. As leaders, our success is intertwined with the success of our team, and by developing our people, we create a foundation for future accomplishments.

Final Word

Defining what it takes to be on your team is a critical step in leadership maturity. It provides clarity, enables the development of high-performance teams, and fosters a culture of continual growth and improvement. Embracing this mindset is not only beneficial for team success but also for personal growth as leaders.