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The Team fails to reach its potential when the team fails to pay the price!

If a team does not reach its potential, seldom is ability the issue. It’s rarely a matter of resources either. Its almost always a payment issue. Consider the story of Montgomery Ward and Company of the Chicago area. This chain of stores was a precursor to Sears and Roebuck stores. Montgomery Ward had plenty of resources, and it had the talent it needed – including a leader that could move them forward. The problem was the company’s owners were unwilling to get out of their comfort zone, take a risk, and try to break new ground.

One of the reasons a team fails to pay the price to reach their potential is that they misunderstand the Law of the Price Tag. Many times they honestly do not know how it works. Take note of the following four truths about this law that will help clarify this law in your mind.

The Price Must paid by everyone!

People who have never had the experience of being on a winning team often fail to realize that every team member must pay a price. If everyone on the team doesn’t pay the price to win, then everyone will pay the price by losing.

The price must be paid all of the time!

People mistakenly believe that if they accomplish a particular goal, they no longer have to grow….Effective leaders cannot afford to think this way. The day they stop growing is the day they forfeit their potential as well as the potential of the organization. Earl Blaik, former football coach of the United States Military Academy stated; There is no substitute for work. It is the price of success. President Eisenhower would state, There are no victories at bargain prices!

The price increases if the team wants to improve, change, or keep winning!

Becoming a champion carries a high price. Remaining on top costs even more. The higher you are the more you pay for even for small improvements. No one can move closer to their potential without paying in some way to get there. To change, improve, or keep winning, as a group the team must pay a price and so must every team member on it.

The price never decreases!

Most people never quit at the bottom of the mountain; they quit halfway up. Nobody sets out to become a loser. The problem most often comes when you believe that at some point it will get easier and the price of success will get cheaper.

So what is the price of Teamwork?

SACRIFICE – There cannot ever be success without sacrifice. James Allen stated; “He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much. When you become part of a team, you may be aware of some things you will give up. But you can be sure that no matter how much you expect to give for the team, at some point you will be required to give more.

TIME COMMITMENT – Teamwork does not come cheaply. It will cost you time and that means that you pay with your life! It takes time to get to know people and to build relationships to see how people work and work together. Teamwork cannot be developed in a microwave time. Teams grow stronger in a Crock-Pot environment.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – Your team will reach their potential only you reach your potential. That mean’s today’s ability is not enough. Said another way from Max DePree; “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” The desire to keep getting better is the key to reaching your potential.

UNSELFISHNESS – People naturally look out for themselves. The question, “What is in it for me” is never far from their thinking. But if a team is to reach its potential, you must put the team’s agenda ahead of your personal agenda. H Jackson Brown’s “Boomerang Theory” is true; When you give your best to the world, the world returns the favor!

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!