How big is the team involved in your missions or achievements?

To accomplish a complex mission more people are involved than one would think. Often we only see those that are frontline, that face the customer or report to the board. But team performance and team success goes beyond those.

Did you ever consider who is involved in accomplishing your team's success?

The trust needed to accomplish high level goals in a high stress environment goes beyond those that are frontline. We were three or four in the aircraft flying the mission, being frontline but we were only a part of a bigger team that was required to accomplish the mission aim. So the trust base had to reach beyond our aircrew. Especially between the aircrew and the technicians in which hands our life lay. If they hadn't done their job right and maintained the aircraft up to the highest standard our lives would have been in jeopardy. 

You need to trust those you work with

On a lot of deployments the aircraft was sitting on the deck ready to go because the alert timing was so short. When the alarm hit we jumped into our seats and hit it. Everything was set. Not once did we worry about the state of the aircraft or what our technicians had done or not. We knew they had done what was needed to have the aircraft ready and safe, and they did it in an extremely professional manner. They played a crucial and indispensable role in us flying our missions and returning home safe. With their contribution we would have been able to do ours. And they knew what we needed, what equipment had to be ready, they knew the way we worked as aircrew and what the aircraft setting had to be. 

The trust I had in my technicians was crucial and the basis of our mission success. It was based on practical trust which came from their ability and knowledge to service the aircraft flawlessly and the emotional part which was based on our relationship. Both parts are vital in building a trust base which allows high performance in a team. 

So “our” team reached byond my aircrew; it involved my technicians and many more on board the boat. It was team performance at the highest level and it was the basis of all high performing teams no matter which profession, it was trust.

That wouldn't have been possible without this vital element in our collaboration.

There was a difference in trust with the teams I had been on a deployment and those I had not been. Because shared experience is one of the most powerful ways to foster trust. The tougher the deployment was, the more trust we were building and the closer we became.

I carried this experience with me throughout my entire professional career being that as a pilot or as a manager. The principles are valid no matter in which environment or context you are in. 

If you want high performance in your teams, you need to allow trust to build.

Did you ever think of who is contributing to your team's success? 

How far beyond the core team does it reach? 

Might be worth thinking about…..never forget those that may not be visible!