“A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other.” – Simon Sinek
What justifies the above statement better than the way a Formula One team works – on and off the racing circuit.
Seated behind the wheel, an F1 driver corners all the glory for his attractive maneuvering skills. But at the pit stop, 16+ people juggle with equipment for not more than 4 seconds to get the mean machine up and revving.
The driver and the pit crew symbolize teamwork on the F1 circuit. However, behind the scene, an army of technologists and skilled factory men work tirelessly to design, build, manufacture and test components that would give a final shape to the beast on the road that grabs your eyeballs.
F1 racing is nothing but a team effort supported by technology and skills, demonstrated amply by the likes of the Canadian Grand Prix and other big races. So if a Sebastian Vettel or a Lewis Hamilton gets to pop the champagne at Azerbaijan on June 25, it will be Team Ferrari that will walk away with all the laurels.
So what lesson in teamwork does F1 teach us?
- Team Selection
Choose the right people for the right job. What if Mercedes hires a person good enough to be a lollipop man to change tyres? The man will fail miserably! And the driver could very well end up in the hospital.
Work output depends on the people who constitute your team. So, aim to get the best!
- Skill Development
Once you choose the right people, the next task is to train them well. For example, if the front wingmen in an F1 crew do not adjust the wing angle correctly, the driver won’t get the downforce needed to balance the vehicle.
For a team to success, continuously enhance your employees’ skills. This will guarantee you the best results, every single time!
- Plan For All Eventualities
The 90-minute action on an F1 circuit is a result of months and years of planning. Each team meets several times to strategize and let everyone know his/her role and team strategy. A good plan separates a winning team from a losing team!
Plan in advance and delegate responsibilities clearly to optimize output.
- Work As A Team, But Value Individual Talent
The task of the front jack man is considered the most hazardous, as it requires standing directly in front of the car as it enters the pit box. The four tyre changers rely on him to unbolt the tyre and put a new one back within a few seconds. What if the tyre changers do not trust the front jack man’s ability to bring the car to a halt?
The job of a pit crew can never be accomplished without its ability to collaborate and believe in each other’s ability to accomplish the task with accuracy.
Working as a team is different from meddling in other’s job. Offer help if sought, but also have faith in your colleagues’ ability to accomplish their tasks independently.
