By the phrase "Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work," Coach Lombardi meant that individual effort is always important but that its value and importance increases exponentially when that work is contributed by the individual to a group effort. Individual contribution is important; individual contribution to the group effort is better; individual contribution as part of a team of equally qualified and equally dedicated individuals in synch with one another is ideal, whether in sports or other human endeavors.
Coach Lombardi also recognized the connection between individual motivation and greater commitment to a team. Specifically, the coach described his championship Green Bay Packers team...
According to Lombardi, "Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another."
Therefore, in addition to the importance of individual effort within the context of team unity, success is also a function of the mutual commitment to the welfare of teammates. In that regard, the essential bond that develops among winning sports teams and successful organizations in business alike is the shared sense of obligation of every individual to the success of every other member of the group. Ultimately, this mutual concern and individual perception of obligation is essential to success and often separates otherwise equally matched opponents by virtue of quantifiable measures.
