Is your law firm, practice group or office an over-performing team or a collection of talented lawyers who do not function as a team?

I saw this quote recently and thought it applied to law firms:

Individuals play the game, but teams beat the odds.- SEAL Team saying

In 2013, practicing law in a law firm is a team sport. Individual lawyers practice law, inspired law firm teams do extraordinary things to help their firm’s clients succeed. In 2013, when specialization is more the norm than ever before, the law firms who create client and industry teams and share the “credit” with each other will rise to the top.

I have an exercise for any of you who are interested. The exercise is to capture what you as a lawyer and your colleagues can learn from one of the greatest teams ever. Over the July 4th weekend, I watched the HBO documentary Dare to Dream again. I had seen it when it first came out, but I enjoyed and marveled at what the US Women’s Soccer Team accomplished playing together as a team.

Do you remember that July 10, 1999 afternoon when the US Women’s Soccer team won the World Cup before 90,000 plus fans at the Rose Bowl and millions more who watched on television? Take a look at the Sports Illustrated cover in this article: Women’s Soccer After 1999. You might also enjoy reading: Twelve years later, still the best.

It will be on again this week on July 23, and it is available on demand until July 28. So, if you have a chance record it. You may also watch segments on YouTube. Here is a link to Part 1.

Watch it with one of your colleagues and make a list of the takeaways on teamwork from the Women’s Soccer team that you can use in your law practice. I would love to hear your ideas.