Any team is only as good as its weakest link

Any team is only as good as its weakest link. One of my favorite war movies about the American-Vietnam war.  So many examples of futile warfare and the pointlessness of greed, power and lack of respect for mankind.

There is a poignant part of the movie where a handful of American soldiers are running to board their Helicopter to return to safety.  In dramatic sequence, you see them board the plane but one has been shot before boarding and is unable to make it …. on his own.

The leader of the platoon clambers off the chopper to ‘grab his man and bring him to safety.

There is a strong message in this vignette which I teach all the time when developing teams:

• Your team is only as good as your weakest link

• If any of your team members are struggling, then your role is to help them (yes that’s your role!)

• High performing teams NEVER leave a soldier behind

• They watch each other’s backs and make sure that they are all headed, together, in the same direction. Together!

How strong and united is your Platoon?