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Tanya Wheeless.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When starting a company with fellow co-founders, teamwork probably isn’t top of mind. But as you grow from one or two employees to four, eight, and beyond, leaders who figure out how to cultivate a healthy environment for team members that fosters success is crucial for long-term sustainability.

During a session at Phoenix Startup Week, Tanya Wheeless used examples from sports to talk about the importance of teamwork, especially as it pertains to startups.

“Teamwork is what sets the good apart from the exceptional,” said the former Phoenix Suns exec. “It’s what sets apart the wannabes from the champions. It’s what sets apart startups that file out and fade from the ones that grow, scope, and have a huge impact. It’s all about teamwork.”

phoenixstartupweekAfter working as CEO of the Arizona Bankers Association from 2004 to 2010, Wheeless spent three years with the Suns organization, where she saw first-hand how athletes and coaches succeeded and failed based on their ability to work together.

Wheeless offered up three essential tips for fostering teamwork at your company:

Creating a shared vision

Photo via Shutterstock.
Phil Jackson. Photo via Shutterstock.

Before you build your team out, Wheeless said it’s important to make sure you have a solid foundation in place. A key part of that foundation is coming up with a shared vision for your company that comes from the top.

For example, in his book Sacred Hoops, Hall of Fame head coach Phil Jackson writes about how he implemented a new style of offense when taking the Chicago Bulls head coaching job. His strategy was to introduce the triangle offense, which is all about moving the ball around and giving many players a chance to touch the rock.

However, the Bulls — led by Michael Jordan — had previously operated by giving Jordan the ball for a majority of the possessions. The problem, though, was that the team wasn’t winning championships.

“Jackson had a new vision for how to win,” Wheeless said. “That idea and concept is what started this entire legacy of championships for the Bulls.”

Clear, consistent, honest communication

Photo via Shutterstock.
Photo via Shutterstock.

But having a shared vision isn’t enough if your players or employees don’t buy in, Wheeless said. A CEO or founder needs to figure out how to best communicate that shared vision.

Jackson first called Jordan to his office after deciding to try out the triangle offense. Once Jordan was on board, Jackson told the rest of the team.

Wheeless noted that it’s important for leaders to be honest and upfront when communicating that shared vision — particularly for those tough conversations. For example, if someone on the team is not performing up to par, but you haven’t had an honest conversation with him or her about it, that’s not fair to the employee.

“A lot of us like to avoid conflict, and I think many people aren’t comfortable having difficult conversations,” she said. “If we need Bob to do more, but we haven’t told Bob in a clear and honest way to that he needs to do so, is it really fair for us to say that Bob has to go?”

Communication is a crucial part of building that foundation Wheeless described.

“When you have that culture of clear, consistent, honest communication, your team will be stronger and can grow,” she said.

Mastering your mind

Photo via Shutterstock.
Photo via Shutterstock.

Wheeless said that mastering your mind is the “most essential” part of success in teamwork and in business. She noted Carol Dweck’s book Mindset, which outlines two different mindsets. One of them is fixed, which means we think we have a finite level of skill or talent that doesn’t change or expand over time.

The other is a growth mindset, in which you internalize the idea that you can expand your skills and abilities through effort.

“Some of the greatest athletes — Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm — they all have qualities of the growth mindset,” Wheeless said. “They believe by exerting effort they can consistently improve and when they fail, they see that as important information needed to get better. Failure didn’t mean they are a failure; it means they are getting information about how they are going to succeed in the future.”

Wheeless said it’s important to have the right mindset because this directly impacts your performance and behavior at work. She explained how we should think like babies do when they learn how to walk. Babies struggle when trying to take their first step, but they get right back up after falling.

shutterstock_105246530
Photo via Shutterstock.

“The baby believes he or she will ultimately walk,” Wheeless said. “They don’t know what they are doing is perceived as a failure or funny. They just keep going. All they know is that they see people walking on two legs and want some of that. They just keep working until they can do it.”

Team leaders must implore this mentality with their employees, and trust that they can improve with more effort.

“You have to believe in them and help inspire them to believe in themselves,” Wheeless said.

At the end of the day, Wheeless said it’s important for leaders to remember that employees are just people trying to do their best.

“You don’t want cranky, angry, confused, or sad people,” she said. “You want to be the leader that creates joy in your team members, that motivates people to believe in your vision that what you are trying to build is possible. When you do that, your business will be a raving success.”

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