The Code Of Specialization

A team benefits greatly when they are placed correctly based on their skill set. Everyone benefits because that team member adds great value, and maximizes their strengths, talents, and experiences. This is The Code Of Specialization. 

If we look at the opposite end of the spectrum, the things that occur when you have the wrong people in the wrong place begin with the team morale eroding because the team is not living up to their capabilities, then resentment starts to take over. The people who have been placed in the wrong position will not only resent what they have been asked to do, but they will also begin to lash out at others.

A terrible domino effect takes place, and the environment becomes toxic. That one individual is like a virus that is highly contagious. As a result, the team never realizes its potential. The team stops progressing, and your competition will take advantage. When people are not doing what they do well, things rarely turn out right. This is The Code Of Specialization.

Having people in the right place is critical for team building, this directly affects the team dynamic.

When it comes to applying the code of specialization, putting team members in their place is crucial. What do I mean by “put in their place”? It means putting team members in a position to excel at what they do naturally. A team full of talented people will not automatically excel because of the talent throughout the team. But you must be able to put people in positions that utilize their talents and maximize the team’s potential, each individual must be doing what adds the most value to the team. Three elements are needed to create this dynamic:

You Must Understand The Team/Organization

To build a winning team within an organization, you must know the history, culture, vision, and purpose. You have to know where the organization is going and the reason why they want to go there. If you don’t know this, you will not be able to take a team to the heights of its potential. Know what you have and go from there. 

Be Aware Of The Current Position

One thing that you can be sure of is constant change. Even a team that has a goal and vision will go through constant changes as they form into who they want to be. So knowing where your team is currently as a team builder is invaluable. As team members grow in maturity and level up their skills, there will be changes to fit their position.

You Have To Know Your Players

In basketball, we refer to "KYP," or "know your personnel. We used this concept so that when we were in the battle on the court, we knew what each player's strength was and how to get the ball to them in their ideal situation for them to score easily. Some were great on the fastbreak in the open court, others were great at catch-and-shoot situations, and others were great at driving to the basket coming off of screens.

Can you see how this makes the team better and harder to beat?

Well, the same principles apply to a business, “know your players”. You must know your team members, whom you are striving to fit well so they can be of great value to the overall team. This must be drilled home because team leaders have a tendency to want others to do things in their image and likeness and to adapt their approach to problem-solving. 

But team building is not like McDonald’s, it doesn’t come with a standard process of operations or be likened to a Tesla car assembly line. You have to dig beneath the surface of a person. You have to learn and eventually know what makes them GO! What is their temperament, aptitude, passion, discipline, people skills, and potential, just to name a few. By knowing these things, you can now go forward and help a team member find their specialty.