United We Win: Building Teams That Last

 Listen out here. Teamwork is an important part of life. I think I haven't written about this topic called team work. So I have played in different teams throughout my life. Whether that team is the cricket team, a football team or for that matter anything. Team work has always been an important part of my life, believe it or not. So when I talk about team work, it's important to recognize that the goal and the mission of the team is just one. How we all get there is what team is about. I feel it's important to recognize that team has to be one. A team for life is family. A team for work is our work team. But what's more important is that for the team to be successful there has to be one goal and oneness in the team. No matter how bad the day is, without team work we are not going to succeed in life. 

Wow, such a beautiful thought. Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things are achieved. Now think about a few example. You are building a project, different people are working on different pieces of the components and eventually when all the components come together, that's when a software is made. You are building a tower, a rail road, etc. when you build a tower you need different teams, one for the geological survey, one for the design, one for constructing the building and one for supervising. But the eventual goal is to build that building. So what I am trying to say here is that when you have a team for life, the goal is the same and how we get there is irrelevant. So what we want to do out here is to build a building that's goal worthy. Put the goal first and let the folks align themselves to the goal. There will be a top level goal, and then individual goal that contributes to the top level goal. For unity is strength, I would just say one thing that when you think about a mutthi(fist) is always going to be stronger than a finger. So united we stand, divided we fall. The more the unity in life, the better. Unity is achieved through great teamwork and collaboration. When you are united against the adversities of life, that's when you win life. There are going to be tough moments, however, those tough moments are not going to last. United we stand, divided we fall. So go ahead and build a strong team in life and in cricket and in football. The stronger the team, the better is our chance to win the game. 

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." Talent is a gift. It gives individuals the edge, the speed, the skill, the spark to turn a moment into magic. A talented player can win a match with a brilliant move, a clever strategy, or sheer individual effort. But championships? They require more.

Winning consistently, at the highest level, requires something greater than talent. It demands teamwork and intelligence.

Teamwork is about trust. It's about knowing that your teammate has your back when you're off balance, that someone is making the run you can pass to, or that someone is covering your blind spot when you're out of position. It's about playing with each other, not just next to each other. True teamwork turns individual strengths into collective power.

But teamwork alone isn’t enough. Intelligence, the ability to think strategically, adapt under pressure, and make smart decisions, is what transforms effort into excellence. It’s the awareness to adjust tactics, the discipline to stick to a game plan, and the insight to play to the strengths of the team, not just the star.

Look at any great champion, whether it’s a sports team, a business, or even a family. Behind every trophy, every milestone, there’s a story of people working together, thinking together, and growing together. Individual brilliance may light the way, but it’s the collective mindset that carries the torch across the finish line.

So yes, talent wins games. It creates moments of glory. But if you want to win consistently, if you want to build something lasting, you need more than just talent. You need teamwork. You need intelligence. You need a group of people aligned, committed, and thinking bigger than themselves.

That’s how championships are won.

A boat doesn't go forward if each one is rowing their own way. Hahah that's so intelligent. In fact it makes sense. If one person wants to go in one direction and the other wants to go the other direction, you will just stay where you are. So go ahead and move forward in one direction with the entire team. When all of us try and row in one direction, the boat moves forward very quickly. In fact it moves faster than most of the things. So go ahead and move forward towards that direction. So naturally the point over here is that direction matters. Unity matters. Alignment matters. If we keep on going left and the other person goes to the right, the direction is never going to matter as much. In fact it's going to be sad that we are not directed in the same direction. So go ahead and move forward in life in the direction that the team needs you to move. 

In life, in business, in sports, or in relationships: if you want to move forward, everyone needs to row the same way. Set the goal. Align the team. Row in rhythm. And watch how fast you move.

Now all of this theory is cool. However what are some practical ways of doing this in real life? What can we do today so that we can achieve this tomorrow? Let's think about it. 

1. Set a clear, shared goal: 

• Why it matters: Without a destination, people will row wherever they think is best.

• How to do it:

• Define a clear top-level goal (e.g., launch the product, win the championship, grow the business by X%).

• Break it into measurable sub-goals for each individual or sub-team.

• Repeat the goal often—keep it visible in meetings, emails, dashboards.

2. Communicate frequently and transparently:

Why it matters: Misalignment often starts with miscommunication.

How to do it:

• Use regular check-ins (daily stand-ups, weekly syncs) to stay on track.

• Share updates, wins, roadblocks openly.

• Encourage two-way feedback, not just top-down communication.

3. Define roles and responsibilities:

• Why it matters: Overlap and confusion cause people to row in circles.

• How to do it:

  • Clarify who is responsible for what.

  • Use tools like a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed).

  • Empower people to own their part of the journey.

4. Foster a culture of collaboration, not competition:

• Why it matters: Ego and turf wars pull people in different directions.

How to do it:

• Reward team wins, not just individual ones.

• Create cross-functional opportunities to work together.

• Promote a “we’re in this together” mindset.

5. Establish shared values and norms:

Why it matters: Direction isn't just about goals, it’s also about how we get there.

How to do it:

• Align on team values: trust, accountability, respect, hustle, etc.

• Agree on ground rules for meetings, decisions, and communication.

• Hold each other accountable to those standards.

6. Lead by example: 

• Why it matters: Leadership sets the tone for alignment.

• How to do it:

  • As a leader or senior team member, model consistency, collaboration, and focus.

  • Show that you’re rowing in the same direction, not just giving directions.