Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, June 30, 2025
by Neil Senturia
The word “team” is frequently bandied about loosely. Rah, rah, let’s go team. Yeah. As a founder, as a leader how exactly do you create a cohesive unit that is committed to a common purpose with a given set of performance goals?
“Real teams perform — they are not simply an amorphous group of folks that we call a team just because we think that the label is motivating and energizing,” write Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith, authors of “The Wisdom of Teams,” the definitive work on how to create high-performance teams.
Katzenbach and Smith go through the obvious teamwork values of listening, giving others the benefit of the doubt, providing support, recognizing the achievement of others, etc. They point out that a team requires “both individual and mutual accountability” and also a challenging aspiration and common purpose.
A common purpose might be to win the World Series, but the individual purposes vary. For example, winning the batting MVP. Yet a team is more than a group. And so, returning to my Hollywood roots, let’s take a look at “teams.”
Ms. Bry and I went to see “Mission Impossible, the Final Reckoning.” While it is all Tom Cruise, it is also all about a team — in particular a moment where a team member sacrifices himself for the good of the team.
Admittedly some of these next ones may require young founders to refer to their Netflix accounts.“Remember the Titans.” Racial tensions, conflict and ultimately the state championship.
“Apollo 13.” While it stresses teamwork, it is also an unapologetic shout-out to the makers of duct tape.
“Miracle on Ice.” The 1980 Olympic ice hockey game. I must confess that every time I see Mike Eruzione carry the American flag around the rink, I cry.
What is it about the idea of a team that is so inspiring?
In the normal environment, purpose is sent down from on high by management, but the authors point out that in the entrepreneurial environment, “a team creates a purpose entirely on its own.”
CEOs are supposed to set the agenda, but in the startup world, sometimes it is enough to just buy the skates and sticks and get off the ice.
“Ocean’s Eleven.” What I like about this movie is its dual purpose. One is to make a lot of money (reasonable goal for a tech startup), but also to seek revenge on the ruthless casino owner. (We all have a previous “owner”). You don’t have to look too far for motivation.
“The Magnificent Seven.” Again, the purpose. Free the oppressed Mexican village. A key plot point is that the seven fail at first. Then they decide to return to finish the job. The reason is that several of the men have become emotionally attached to the villagers.
“Hoosiers.” This one is special to me. When I worked in Hollywood, I made a film with an actor, Bill Jordan, who played on that Milan, Indiana, high school state championship team. Of course, CEOs can also learn a lot from Gene Hackman.
“The Dirty Dozen.” Misfits faced with little choice. But they coalesce because of one act of insubordination by John Cassavetes. It is the unfairness of the punishment that brings the men together.
“The Great Escape.” Again, each member of the team has unique skills. Personal conflicts for sure, but united by a common purpose. Notwithstanding Cruise and his airplane sequence, you would have to be stone cold dead to not cheer when Steve McQueen launches his motorcycle over the fence.
“The Fast and the Furious.” Katzenbach and Smith talk about the “specificity of performance objectives.” Your company periodically needs to build “sprints” where nothing can get in the way of completion.
“The Bad News Bears.” “The Guns of Navarone.” “Das Boot.” I am biased. I love the movies. I went to the American Film Institute and had every intention of becoming Steven Spielberg.
For me, there is a clear connection between storytelling and building a company. The leader has to spin a tale that energizes a group to believe in themselves and go beyond what they didn’t think was possible.
When a team comes together, it is magic. Remember to savor that moment, it will not last forever. No team ever does.
Rule No. 796: “Rosebud.”