Tony Garza discusses the significance behind the first word of this code: strength. Strength can take on many forms, both individually and collectively. So, what exactly is ‘strength’ within the modern team setting? And, since you’re most likely not charging into a battlefield with a sword anytime soon, how does the first component of this ancient Roman war code apply to you? Let’s dive in. “Strength and honor.” I can remember these two words shared repeatedly amongst Roman soldiers in the 2001 Academy Award Winning film, Gladiator. The main character played by Russell Crowe is a General in the Roman army, and in several scenes, Roman soldiers would greet him and recite “strength and honor” amongst one another before stepping onto the battlefield. For many, these were their last words before ultimately losing their lives. In this series, I would like to take a closer look at these two words and discuss their significance in team-building.įor these soldiers, strength and honor was more than just a cool thing to say before rushing into battle it was a code that they lived and died by-I think there is something profound about that. Your team may not be preparing for a battle against invading armies (although it may feel like that sometimes), but your team would likely benefit from incorporating these two fundamental values into the building blocks of your organization’s cultural infrastructures. So, let’s start off with the first one–strength. When we think about strength, we tend to think of it in terms of personal strength. What can I do well, what are my strengths, and what do I bring to the team? Although this does play an important role, I want to focus on strength as it relates to a team. What is the core strength of a team? Some would say it’s the leader or the individual abilities of each team member. (We have likely all heard the “you’re only as strong as your weakest link” mantra.) Others would point to established goals and vision as the key to team strength. “The strength of a team is determined by a unique component-Trust.” However, I want to propose something different: All these answers are not wrong, and each plays a vital role within teamwork. “When team members trust each other, they will go above and beyond for the good of the team, because they trust the person next to them to do the same.” Well-known author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek once said, “a team is not a group of people who work together, but rather, a group of people who trust each other.” Regardless of each individual’s strength or the strength of the leaders, a team may be weak if the team members do not trust each other. This was essential for Roman soldiers as they had to trust that the soldier next to them would guard them with their shield.
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