To compete in the current business environment you have to build teams that can compete on many levels. The Chicago Bulls had 'stars,' but most of all they were a team. Unlike other 'teams' that had stars that could not unify the team to win, the Bulls won consistently. Compare this to a single player on a team versus a team made up of unified players.

Here are five principles that can have a positive impact on the development of any team.

First--I have learned that the 'team with the best talent wins.' We are in an economy powered by the energy of the individual. Your team must have more energy than most of your competition. You simply cannot have enough talent on your side.

Second--the 'team with the best ideas wins.' You must outsmart, out think, and out innovate the competition. The new challenge is to keep your mind open to new possibilities and your ears open to new ways of thinking.

Third--the 'team with the best implementation wins.' Out thinking the competition will only take you so far. You have got to out implement the competition.

Fourth--the 'team with the best leadership wins.' Together you can take the initiative at all levels and make it happen. Not the old way--command and control leadership. Develop grassroots leaders who can take initiative on all levels of the organization. You know what it takes. You have what it takes. Just do not give up!

Fifth--we know that the 'team with the clearest sense of purpose wins.' When anything is possible, what are our priorities? When we can make a powerful difference, what is worth doing?

These are lessons I learned that will give you a sharp competitive edge as you face the challenges of the future.