On February 1, we’ll watch the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots face off in the National Football League’s Super Bowl XLIX. As the day of the big game draws nearer, many will be making predictions, reviewing team stats, and reliving moments from past championship games.

In Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants bested the New England Patriots, thanks to a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Eli Manning in the last two minutes that led to a game-winning touchdown for the Giants. Those last-ditch plays can often be the most memorable and exciting.

However, while spectators love the excitement of a Hail Mary pass, it’s important to remember that desperation and luck often play a major role in these nail-biting conclusions. Without strong talent development among the players, these teams wouldn’t be in a position to play for the NFL championship in the first place.

Talent development is critical for any team in any organization. The success of your business relies on the continued growth and success of your people. Talent development initiatives optimize team performance, and organizations that invest in talent development improve team cohesiveness and enhance productivity.

Identifying the biggest obstacles facing the team is an important step in talent development. In sports, you know immediately who your competition is, but in business, it’s not always clear who or what your team is up against. While each NFL player has his own unique position and role on the team, they ultimately have to all work together to achieve their goal. The same goes for teams within your organization.

Trust is the foundation of any good team. Individuals won’t be able to move forward in any direction without trust in one another. The quarterback has to trust his teammates, and they have to trust in his leadership. While a Hail Mary pass is necessary – and successful – at times, your team will only be able to consistently achieve great things if they understand one another’s strengths and can effectively communicate and collaborate.