Quotes from Pat MacMillan

High performance teams master the art of straight talk. They have learned how to confront issues and address behaviors without attacking or provoking one another.

Purpose not only calls the team together but, like glue, holds the team together during the inevitable turbulence the team will experience on its journey.

Our behavior may be the most critical factor used by others in their decision to "lend" trust to us, as our actions reflect our character. When we honor our commitments and do what we say we will do, others will be inclined to deposit their trust with us.

When prejudice between team members is present within the team, it's as though a hockey team voluntarily decided to place one or two of their members in the penalty box, and attempted to compete effectively against the opposing team with fewer players.

Trust is the essential quality in any team relationship. Team members will not work interdependently with anyone they do not trust. And without interdependence there can be no effective division of the task, no leverage of the gifts and skills of individual team members, and therefore, no synergy. No trust, no relationship, no team.

Crystal clear roles characterize high performance teams. Every team member is clear about his or her particular role as well as those of the other team members.

To respect someone in a team setting means to show honor and esteem for his or her contribution. We must acknowledge that we need one another and we must show equal concern for every member. If one member suffers, we all suffer. If one member is honored, we are all honored. We are a team.

Courtesy is often the manifestation of trust, acceptance, and respect. We demonstrate courtesy by graciousness, consideration for one another, sincerity, listening, how we talk about teammates who aren't present, and the type of humor we use when jesting with one another.

Many feel that process and creativity are in conflict, believing that creativity needs spontaneity and unstructured approaches. No doubt, a lot of creativity is a by-product of informal, spontaneous thinking.

Ultimately leadership boils down to a relationship. High-quality relationships are based on trust—trust of one anothers' competence as well as character.

Trust is earned (more realistically it is lent) every time leaders do what they say they will do, do it with excellence, and do

Communication is the very means of cooperation.