When the Golden State Warriors decided that they were going to build a dynasty, they didn’t look at their roster and say:

 “ahhh, we were 23-43 this season, so we are good for next year. Maybe the guys will step up and win it all next season.” 

Of course when we use the analogy of sports, this sounds absolutely silly and something that would enrage a fan base and most likely get a GM or a coach fired.  The Warriors instead looked at their current team and decided that changes needed to be made, people needed to be challenged, and strategy needed to be tweaked.  The result, 3 years later the Warriors won their first championship an a legendary dynasty was born.

I use this analogy, because far too often we are looking at our personal team and we are settling.  We are settling for a team of players in our life who are holding us back from winning.  If an athletic team wants to win a championship, they will do whatever they can to put together a team of players, coaches, and staff who can work together to achieve that goal.   If an athletic team is willing to do this, why are we not willing to do this in our own life?  We have the power and control to build the team that will help propel us to the next level.

So…..How do we build this team?

Step 1: What is the championship we are striving to win?

It is vital that we first identify and understand what it is we are hoping to win.  What are our goals that we need our “A-Team,” to help us with? What is our Why that we need our “A-Team,” to ensure we strive for?  What values do we need our “A-Team,” to hold us accountable to.  Before we give our team direction, we must gain some clarity around what it is that we want to accomplish.

Step 2: Identify important characteristics, values, roles for our team members.

On a basketball team it is important to have players who gravitate towards roles to ensure the team wins.  You might have the shooter, the defensive stopper, the enforcer, the energy guy, the scorer, etc. Using this same philosophy, what roles do you need filled on your team?

• Accountability Partner – The person that holds you accountable, helps you identify what is working and what is not working, and challenges you to follow through.
• The Mentor – The person that gives great advice, information, and guidance.
• The Supporter – the person that helps you celebrate your wins and picks you up when we are down.
• The Peer – the person that will work the front lines with you and you can share experiences to learn and grow.

Side Note: These are just a few options.  You can use these roles or define your own. The point is to understand how each person will help you along your journey.

Step 3: Make the much needed cuts

These changes are not always easy, but it is important to understand that sometimes changes need to be made to ensure success and continue moving forward towards our goals.  We can have friends, acquaintances, family, etc., but they all don’t deserve a roster spot on our “A-Team.” Who deserves to be cut? Who deserves to stay on our team?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What people in your life are not either adding positive or negative value to your journey? (They are neutral).
  • Are any of the people listed above in need of support from you? (meaning can you influence them or challenge them to be there for you in a way that will serve both of you?) If you can, influence them.  If you can’t, then some hard decisions need to be made.
• Who are the people in your life who are actually hurting your progress and pushing you along a path you don’t want to be on?

You probably already have an idea for who you need to possibly cut from your “A-Team,” after answering the questions above.

Disclaimer: Making a cut does not always mean you need to cut them entirely out of your life.  This could just mean that they are not the people you will trust in and expect to be there for you when needed.

Step 4: Match people with roles

You have now painted a picture for what your “championship” is, you have identified key roles that need to be filled to help you achieve those “championships,” and you have made some decisions on potential cuts that need to happen in your life.  Now it is time to match people in your life with the roles you identified.  Who will be a supporter? Who will be your accountability partner? Who will be your mentor?  These roles can be filled by people in your life now and new people that you need you may need to identify and discover.

Side Note:  One person can often fill several roles (example: Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls was the scorer, the leader, and a defensive stopper during the Chicago Bulls Championship Dynasty).

Step 5: Communicate

This is one of my favorite steps in the entire process of building your “A-Team.”  Have a conversation with each member of your team.  Sit down for coffee/lunch/etc. and share your goals, the direction you are headed, and some ideas about your relationship.   How can they support you?  What do you need from them? etc.  Not every player will accept the offer and this is fine.  You have two options in this situation 1. Attempt to influence them and share the value of being on your team 2. Let them go to a different team and identify or find someone else who sees the value of being on your “A-Team.”

Step 6: Provide value for each of your team members

This is a two way street and when we are a member of a team, it is not all about us.  What can we do to provide value for each one of our team members?  Amazing energy can be created when we give and support those around us.  To build a true dynasty, it is absolutely massive that we not only get support, but we are also there to support those around us.

Download the Build Your A-Team, document today and start the process of building your team.  This is a great exercise to see who you currently have on your team, what value they are adding to your life/goals, and what value you are adding to theirs.

Download Here