November 18, 2020
1 Leadership Thought
There's a crucial difference between groups and teams.
Groups unite by coincidence:
Groups board the same plane for different reasons
Fans cheer at the same game for different teams
Teams bond over purpose:
Cabin crews serve together during flight
Sports teams play together to win
Lead teams, not groups. (Share this on Twitter)
The question to answer is: How can a leader create synergy so they're leading a team instead of a group?
Here are 4 things to consider (in this specific order):
Chemistry: You either get along or you don't. Lack of chemistry will lead to dysfunction and toxicity. Great chemistry will lead to sharpening and growth. Spend more time than you think you should on assessing chemistry when recruiting and hiring.
Common purpose: Alignment is an exercise in memorization. A team that's bought in around a common purpose should easily be able to repeat the same vision.
Clearly defined roles: Recognize that each teammate has unique perspective and skills. Give clarity to different roles on your team so everyone can contribute their maximum potential.
Constant communication: Teammates feel seen and cared for when they are allowed to give input into goals and are taken seriously in their work.
1 Resource
Martine Haas and Mark Mortensen on the fundamentals of collaboration:
"There are many ways team leaders can actively foster a shared identity and shared understanding and break down the barriers to cooperation and information exchange. One powerful approach is to ensure that each subgroup feels valued for its contributions toward the team’s overall goals."
Source: Harvard Business Review: "The Secrets of Great Teamwork"
1 Question
What passion wakes you up in the morning? How does that connect to your life's purpose?