Great Teams

The best team I’ve ever been a part of was known as the 310/320 WIII squad at the Kansas City Police Department. While the name itself might lack flair, the team was extraordinary. We were an inner-city patrol squad, working in one of the most challenging, high-crime areas of the city. Our team usually consisted of seven or eight officers in their twenties, led by a tough, seasoned sergeant with about twenty years more experience than the rest of us. Most of us spent several years together with a few moving in and out through the years.

Reflecting on those days, I’m filled with fond memories. Our team culture centered around hard work, resilience, and honesty, with a shared commitment to continuous improvement. There was a deep sense of pride—a true esprit de corps—that came from being part of that squad. We even had informal initiation rituals that strengthened our bonds, creating connections I still value two decades later.

Our mission was clear: to serve, protect, and seek out evil, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference. We held ourselves to high standards, with a healthy dose of internal competition that motivated each of us to excel, yet never divided the team.

We look like kids, but the lessons learned in those days have shaped so much of who I am today. 

At the time, I didn’t know much about team building as a leadership skill, nor had I read any books on the subject. But now, I can clearly see that our sergeant was an exceptional leader who understood the dynamics of team building. I remember one incident vividly. My partner and I were the first to respond to a homicide scene, where a man had been killed in his front yard. A large, emotional crowd had gathered, and, in the chaos, I quickly put up a barrier of crime scene tape to try and protect the area. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best we could do under the circumstances. 

A few minutes later, our sergeant and the division major arrived. The major began to yell, criticizing the way we’d cordoned off the scene, despite the challenging crowd dynamics. That’s when my sergeant stepped in. He looked at the major and said firmly, “If you’re not here to help my guys, get off our scene!” I was surprised to hear him stand up to an officer two ranks above him. Looking back, though, I realize it wasn’t surprising at all. This response reflected the grit, loyalty, and integrity that were part of the culture he had built. 

In Unstoppable Teams, Alden Mills writes that as a team leader, “you reap what you sow”—your team will reflect your behavior. That might have made sense to me twenty years ago, but today I can say I’ve seen it in action across several teams I’ve been a part of and a few I’ve led. Mills also emphasizes that a team builder’s role is to “highlight other people’s skills and articulate how those skills can help the team.” 

Leaders, how are you building your team’s culture? Do you see your people reflecting your values and actions?