Looking back to look forward: If you’re building your team agenda for 2013, perhaps ask yourself what you can learn from the best teams of 2012.

Return every day to discover our other "Superteams of 2012". 

Tomorrow - Political Superteam of the Year.

There were some incredible musical achievements throughout the year, but which team stood out from the rest?

Our Musical Superteam of 2012

The Rolling Stones

With the start of their 50th anniversary tour at the end of the year, the Stones must go down in history as one of the all time greatest musical outfits to have ever existed.

And this accolade should come not only for their incredible longevity, but also for their continued musical mastery, their on-stage presence and their uncanny ability to create an incredible atmosphere at each and every one of their performances.

After 50 years and counting Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie continue to be revolutionary… no longer the youth uprising of the 60s and decadence of the 70s but now breaking new ground by showing that 70-year-olds can still be rock and roll, right at the top of the game. 

Team Talk

So how can this incredible longevity and team cohesion be replicated?

Well, the drivers that have kept the Stones together for half a century are applicable even for teams not engaged in the music business.

Of course, all four members are strongly connected through their shared passion for music, as well as a commitment to being the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world. This is the common purpose that has driven them through turbulent times.

But on top of this common cause, in terms of delivering fame, money or the chance to play for so many people, no other endeavour they have undertaken individually has ever come close to enabling the band members to fill their own personal ambitions. 

Being a member of the Rolling Stones ‘team’ continues to be the best way of achieving each individual’s goals. This has meant that no member has often strayed from the pack for too long. 

Any team that can reinforce its members personal ambitions will become intrinsically valuable to each of its constituents.

The Stones have also managed to build up an immeasurable level of respect and trust throughout their years.

This trust has been earned through their own competence. Team members can earn trust when they can show off their skills, demonstrate that they are masters of their role and prove their competence to contribute to the team’s purpose. 

In the Stones' case, each individual has talent in abundance and the cohesion of these talents is a strong unifying force; it has built respect between the team over their fifty year journey. 

Operating like a family, they sometimes squabble, but they are always happy to see each other after a break: the band allow themselves the space between tours to breathe.

Surviving conflicts accelerates trust in a team, so it is vital to invest in building cohesion and developing trust early on in a team's life. 

With their fifty year tour, the Rolling Stones have set the standard for team longevity and cohesion in an otherwise brutally competitive and turbulent industry. This in turn has provided a valuable lesson for any team targeting a long stay at the top. 

What a milestone to reach, and long may it continue.

Return to the blog tomorrow to see our "Political Superteam of the Year", and read more about building cohesion to start creating your team agenda for action today.

Written by Sam Ramsden

See Khoi Tu speak at the RSA or follow his story on Twitter @buildsuperteams