Nick Saban, head football coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide once said, “We create a standard for how we want to do things, and everybody's got to buy into that standard or you really can't have any team chemistry. Mediocre people don't like high-achievers and high-achievers don't like mediocre people.” It’s hard to argue with Saban’s philosophy, seeing how he has won seven National Championships. One could also argue that success or failure begins and ends at the top of an organization. Successful leaders set higher standards for themselves and their organization, and don’t settle for anything less.

When we look at successful businesses, sports teams, churches, and even families, they all have one thing in common, great chemistry. There is an old saying in the NBA, that superstars win you championships. I think there is a lot of truth in that statement, but as I watched the NBA championships this year, I couldn’t help but notice how the teams who didn’t make the so-called superstars their primary focus, not only won, but dominated.

With the talent parity in today’s NBA, I wonder if the adage around individual superstars winning championships is as applicable as it once was? It would appear not. Watching these well-coached selfless teams move with the fluidity and grace of a flock of birds was something to behold. They had balance, comradery, and yes, chemistry.

Having great chemistry doesn’t just happen. In fact, it’s a rarity. It’s a disciplined process that requires constant refinement that encourages team members to buy into never accepting mediocrity from themselves or anyone else on their team. It’s about holding everyone accountable and to a higher standard, from top to bottom. It’s about knowing who you are, where you are going, and then systematically winning a little more, every day.