Why Companies Value Teamwork

by Jessel Brizan | VALSAYN, Trinidad and Tobago | September 3, 2023

 

Almost every job description states a preference for applicants who possess strong interpersonal, relationship-building, networking, teamworking, or team-building skills. This is not merely placeholder text to serve some superficial career tendering process.

Companies value individuals who possess the ability to assimilate the culture, work well with others and nurture healthy relationships for obvious reasons including synergy, increased productivity, increased profitability, success, and sustainability. But it starts with putting together the right team.

Anyone who is familiar with the career of Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders, will undoubtedly be aware of his loyalty and commitment to God, family, friends, team(s), associates, and business partners. Notice that I put God first. From his battles with thoughts of suicide, having two toes amputated and multiple surgeries, one thing that is abundantly clear is Coach Prime’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and God to whom he is repeatedly documented praising and giving thanks.

No stranger to success, Coach Prime’s career boasts an extensive curriculum vitae of accolades accumulated during his storied tenure in sports, pop culture, media, and business including:

  • NFL Hall of Fame

  • 2× Super Bowl champion (XXIX, XXX)

  • NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1994)

  • 6× First-team All-Pro (1992–1994, 1996–1998)

  • 8× Pro Bowl (1991–1994, 1996–1999)

  • NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

  • NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

  • Jim Thorpe Award (1988)

  • 2× Unanimous All-American (1987, 1988)

 

Before taking up the reins as Head Coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Coach Prime led HBCU the Jackson State University Tigers to a 27-6 record in three seasons including back-to-back SWAC conference championships in 2021 and 2022.

In a video posted on August 22, 2023 to the YouTube channel ‘Well Off Media’ operated by Coach Prime’s son, Deion Sanders Jr, the NFL hall of famer is recorded disclosing one of his prime (pun intended) practices in business. Coach Prime declares, “I have a rule in business; I do not do business with anybody that have not been on a team.”

The NFL legend opened his ‘sermon’ emphasizing that “individuals win awards, but team wins championships.” Notwithstanding earning several individual awards, he credited some of his most memorable and rewarding experiences and accomplishments as an athlete to being part of a team.

Coach Prime disparaged the selfishness, entitlement and individualism as evoked by persons who are foreign to the concept of teamwork. Rather, he touts dependability and unity in spite of one’s upbringing, sociology, religion, or circumstances.

As a former student athlete and aficionado of the “beautiful game,” football (soccer), I can attest to every word Coach Prime espoused to the University of Colorado men’s football team. It compelled me to reflect on and examine the countless occasions I encountered disruptive and/or negative attitudes and/or behaviours, particularly in team-oriented environments, as an educator and business professional. And I can assuredly say that in the vast majority of cases, the instigators were usually individuals who were not previously privy to healthy teamwork experiences rooted in open communication, collaboration and community.

As substantial underdogs amid a bevy of naysayers, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach led his team to a nail-biting 45-42 upset win at the 17th nationally ranked TCU Horned Frogs in their season opener on September 2, 2023.

As a loyal Coach Prime disciple, I wholeheartedly adopt his philosophy and teaching. Moving forward, I refuse to do business with anyone who has never functioned in a healthy, team-oriented environment. Amen.

 
Business, EducationJessel BrizanJessel Brizan, Jessel Brizan Design Group, Coach Prime, teamwork, Colorado Buffaloes Football, Colorado Buffaloes, business strategy, synergy, team goals, collaboration, team success, team building, relationship building, networkingComment