High in the Andes Mountains, at around 18,000 feet, are rock seams dribbling rivulets of snow melt.  These mere trickles make their way down the mountain and are joined by other trickles.  This combination of efforts creates momentum and the beginnings of the most powerful river in the world, the Amazon.  This mighty behemoth, which starts as a mere trickle, grows to become a rushing 4,000 mile watercourse that pumps 57 million gallons of water per second! 

How does the Amazon go from a mere trickle to a mighty flow and how can we create that type of dynamic as we lead our teams? 

1) Create a common direction. In order for individuals to combine efforts, as the trickles combine and create the Amazon, they must be heading in the same direction.  Good leaders provide this direction to their teams through clear, consistent communication as to the expectations, goals, standards and the overall game plan.  Good leaders then maintain that common direction through healthy doses of support, feedback and encouragement.  When an individual stream goes rogue, it must be guided back into the established flow or it heads out on its own and eventually peters out.  In a team, the same efforts must be made as the team is much stronger working together toward a common goal than a team divided in their directions and actions.  

2) Create momentum.  Momentum is only achieved through decisive, consistent action.  The path may not always be smooth for the Amazon, but the flow does not stop.  In a team, action creates excitement, excitement leads to drive and drive leads us to results. We create none of these when we sit in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment or every single resource we might need.  Instead, create those conditions through momentum.  This is why the old adage is true – if you want something done, give it to a busy person.  Why? Because these people have already established momentum and are enjoying what that brings – results.  Momentum is established by working with focus, being decisive, accessing new resources, trying creative solutions and applying them quickly.  On the other hand, hesitation creates doubt, boredom and saps initiative.  Momentum takes time to build (e.g. think of a stalled car where the first steps are back-breaking) but once it’s created, your team can become not only resilient, but unstoppable. 

3) Force multiply.  As the Amazon makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean, thousands of tributaries feed into it, taking advantage of the concept of force-multiplying where one and one make three, not two, because the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. This is the secret power of a focused team.  The warrior philosopher Tamerlane said, “It is better to be on hand with ten men, than absent with ten thousand.”  I constantly see handfuls of committed people accomplish what twenty or more couldn’t – and I bet you do too.  Plus, achievement inspires others around a team to get involved, add resources and spread the word after seeing what they can do.  This is also a force-multiplier.  After all, people love to be part of successful endeavors which is the reason for the wild successes of Zappos, Starbucks, Facebook and so many sports franchises. Remember that you don’t need a mass of people to do great things, just a few committed folks to get things started.

In our Native communities, our elders said the outdoors are our greatest classroom and nature would teach us all we need to be successful.  The twisting and muddy waterway of the Amazon flows powerfully, if not always gracefully, towards its goal of reaching theAtlantic. Follow the lessons the Amazon teaches us and unleash the power and potential of your team.    

Online registration is now available for The Warrior’s Edge event in November!  Go to our online store to get more information and register yourself (and bring a friend for free) today…