What Kind Of A Team Are We?

“What kind of a team are we? Are we are track and field team, each running our own leg of the race, handing off the baton? Are we an orchestra, each playing individual parts to create a greater, unified sound, led by the conductor leader? Or are we a futbol team, running the game from the field. The leader prepares us in practice and steps in during time outs, but we work together to run the plays?”

I was working with a leadership team in the forming stages. Each individual came with different assumptions and mindsets. One team member asked the question, and it created a breakthrough in thinking. Where did they need to be independent? Where did they need to work together? Where did they need the leader to step in, and where did they need to be empowered?

This team realized they were operating as a track and field team and needed to shift to be a futbol team. The best part? This was a C-suite team realizing they needed to work together differently. You are never too senior to focus on how to cultivate and shape a high-performing team.

What kind of a team is yours? One with independent players handing things off? One that is completely led by the leader? Or a self-sustaining team with a leader guiding where needed?

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