A mob of people is one of the most dangerous and heartless entities on earth.  Conversely, a team of highly functioning and productive people is one of the most heart-warming and inspirational. The difference is leadership. 

    Few things have ever been accomplished by the lone striver. People must combine into productive groups and each contribute their best to a team effort for real accomplishments to occur. In this way, the whole far exceeds the sum of the parts. Participating on such a team can be one of the most liberating, exhilarating experiences in life. Productive teams are not only fun to be a part of, they are also responsible for just about everything in our civilization, from technological advancements to architectural wonders to sports dynasties.

    The highest functioning teams are aligned in common purpose, for a noble cause, and work respectfully and trustingly together. They are more concerned about the glory of the team than they are about personal accolades. They take care of each other and push each other to higher contribution, in an "iron sharpening iron" way. Peer pressure becomes a positive and heights are reached collectively that would be beyond the ability of any individual.

    Great people are required for great teams. But there is something more. Many times the most "talented" groups do not perform as predicted. Leadership is required to form and lead teams to higher and higher achievement, and it is this leadership that makes all the difference.  

    Leading teams to excellence requires intentionality and hard work, consistently applied, over time. It requires the leader to clearly and continually develop group themes to which everyone ascribes. It requires vision and consistency, fostering of harmony and trust, confronting issues that threaten the cohesion of the team, and a nourishment of the belief that what the team sets out to do it in fact can do.

    As the old saying goes, "Put two idiots in a room with an expert and after a period of time three idiots will emerge." So it is with teams. Even the most talented groups of people can become corrupted and callous if left untended, without true leadership and guidance administered on a regular basis. Leadership is the force that prevents the mob tendencies of any group of people and instead channels those energies into productive alignment. And this leadership can come from any and all levels. Just because one isn't the titular head of an organization of people doesn't mean he or she cannot lead. Any position is in touch with other parts of the team and therefore exerts a certain amount of influence on the rest. A strong leadership example of the right things always has its effect. So lead mightily from whatever position in which you find yourself, and contribute to the smooth functioning of your team. Without it you can expect mob-like behavior. With it, you can expect the absolute best. The choice is yours.