If there was a championship for workplace team performance, would your team be in it to win it—or would they miss the playoffs? While individual achievement is important, teamwork is critical to a company’s success.
So, how do you get your workers to pull together as a team? Take some tips from these professional football coaches and players who have seen tremendous success on the field.
Maximize your team’s potential.
Tony Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, credits this seven-point formula for his team’s success:
- Engage
- Educate
- Equip
- Encourage
- Empower
- Energize
- Elevate
“Those are the methods for maximizing the potential of any individual, team, organization, or institution for ultimate success and significance,” Dungy said.
Recognize individuals who commit to team goals.
Legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, is considered by many to be one of the most successful coaches in football history. He said the power of teamwork went far beyond the football field.
“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work,” Lombardi said.
Show your own commitment to your team.
According to five-time league MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Peyton Manning, you can’t expect your team to push for success if you are not there for them.
“Being there every week for my teammates is really important to me,” Manning said. “It’s about accountability.”
Don’t let negative people sour the team.
Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowl titles as the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and believes attitude plays an important role in team success.
“Bad attitudes will ruin your team,” Bradshaw said. “Concentrate on the factors you have control over: persistence, self-discipline, confidence. Far more failures are due to lack of will than lack of ability.”
Let established team members be role models for success.
Merlin Olsen, a former defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams, was selected to the Pro Bowl a record 14 times straight. He placed a high value on both experience and commitment.
“The winning team has a dedication. It will have a core of veteran players who set the standards,” Olsen said. “They will not accept defeat.”
A team that does not accept defeat will keep pushing forward and overcome obstacles that might defeat a less committed group.
Finally, remember the power of hard work.
Walter Payton, former running back for the Chicago Bears, is remembered as one of the hardest-working and best running backs in NFL history. In his autobiography, Payton described what he thought makes someone a winner.
“A winner is somebody who has given his best effort, who has tried the hardest they possibly can, who has utilized every ounce of energy and strength within them to accomplish something. It doesn’t mean that they accomplished it or failed, it means that they’ve given it their best.”
Strong Teams Also Mean Better Hires
Creating a championship-quality team fuels company success and is more likely to attract the strong job candidates your company needs. When you need to add a star player to your team, Express is here to help.
About Express Employment International
Express Employment International supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and affiliated brands, including Specialized Recruiting Group and Express Healthcare Staffing. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Last Updated on October 6, 2025
