One of the most important aspects of an effective team is having great depth. After all, teams are made up of a variety of different people with different strengths and weaknesses. A team’s success depends on having a balanced mix of talent, so it’s important for everyone to be able to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. This is why John Maxwell’s Law of the Bench is so important: great teams have great depth.
By having a deep bench of individuals that can contribute in different ways, you’ll be sure to have the ingredients necessary for success. So, make sure your team has the right mix of talent and make sure everyone on your team is getting the chance to show off their unique strengths.
So, what happens when you don’t have your team in roles where they can shine? The Law of the Bench would say that a team with only one or two people doing all the work will never succeed. When a team is top-heavy, it can’t take advantage of the strengths and perspectives that everyone brings to the table. If you continue to work with people in roles that don’t bring them joy the teammate may get burnt out, lacking inspiration and creativity.
By taking the time to ensure that each person on your team is in a role where they can thrive, you will be well on your way to creating a successful and sustainable team. Working with an effective team means being able to leverage the strengths of each individual to create something greater than the sum of its parts. So, take the time to make sure everyone on your team is in the right place and you’ll be sure to have a great team with great depth.
One of the most common topics that I hear from clients is the need to stabilize their bench i.e., reduce turnover. My first response has always been and continues to be leadership! There is no magic pill to ensure that your team has staying power but there are steps that you can take to make sure everyone on the team feels valued and appreciated. Having a culture of inclusiveness, providing clear expectations, actively seeking out feedback from teammates, and rewarding good work all contribute to helping create an environment where people want to stay.
It’s obvious your team will not stay the same over time therefore it’s important to always be preparing your bench. In John Maxwell’s book on the 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, he talks about the ways to build tomorrow’s team. Those include:
- Recruitment: Who is joining the team? When it comes to recruiting, don’t just look for the best performer on paper. Consider each person’s talents and how those talents fit into the team’s overall goals. Some ways you can do this is by using personality tests such as DISC or the Working Genius Assessments (ask me about either, I am certified in both!)
- Training: Developing your team’s skills is key! Providing everyone with the opportunity to learn new tools and develop their skills will give all members of the team a chance to show off their unique talents. You are responsible for ensuring that everyone is given the necessary opportunities to develop and enhance their abilities. Output Language Code: EN
- Losses: Who has left or leaving the team? While you can’t control who leaves the team, it is important to stay informed and understand why they have left. It might be best to replace them with someone new or to find a creative solution to fill the gap they leave behind. Great teams have great depth, and the Law of Bench is a reminder that everyone has something valuable to contribute – even if they aren’t the star player. Building a team with diverse talents and perspectives is one of the best ways to ensure long-term success. So make sure your team has a deep bench and watch your business soar!
Have you thought about where you stand on your team? Are you a valuable player, a substitute, or a regular player? What can you do to enhance your team’s performance? How can you begin by improving yourself? I created a mini self-survey that may be of use regarding your caring levels toward your team and others. After all, feeling cared about is one of the number one determinants, according to Gallup research, on engagement. And whether people leave or stay at their job. Here’s the link for the assessment.
John Maxwell’s Law of the Bench is more important than ever, both for individual teams and for organizations. By creating an environment where everyone can contribute their unique perspective and talents, you will be well on your way to creating a successful team with great depth. So, take the time to make sure everyone on your team is in the right place and you’ll be sure to have a great team with great depth.