It’s All About Me!
Have you ever heard the saying, “There’s no ‘I’ in team”? It’s true, well, sort of.
What if I told you there actually is a ‘me’ in team?
And no, I’m not just talking about rearranging letters like a sneaky word puzzle. I’m talking about something far more powerful: discovering the me within the team.
Chip Lutz puts it perfectly – leaders need to reveal the me in the team because, at the end of the day, great teamwork isn’t just about blending in; it’s about showing up as your real self while lifting others up.
Let’s picture this: Imagine a basketball coach who simply shouts instructions from the sidelines but never actually demonstrates a play. What happens? Confusion, misalignment, and maybe a few accidental trips and falls. (And let’s be honest, we all have that one friend who thinks they’re Michael Jordan but can’t dribble to save their life. No shade, just facts.)
Now, imagine a coach who shows the team how to execute a play, leads by example, and actively participates. That’s when the magic happens. Words mean little without action, and leadership is about setting the pace. When a leader reveals their me, showing vulnerability, skills, and vision, the team follows.
But here’s the catch – showing up isn’t enough unless there’s trust. You can’t expect people to run a marathon with you if they think you’ll hop in a car halfway through.
Trust is built through action, consistency, and most importantly, service. The best leaders don’t just say they support their team; they prove it by rolling up their sleeves and working alongside them. Ever noticed how some managers walk around with a clipboard, taking notes on everyone else’s work, while others jump into the trenches to help? Guess which ones have a more motivated team? (Hint: It’s not Clipboard Carl :D)
Now, let’s talk about something that makes teamwork truly flourish, diversity. And no, not just the kind you can see. Of course, embracing different backgrounds and perspectives is essential, but true diversity goes beyond that. It’s about welcoming different ways of thinking, new ideas, and fresh perspectives. And here’s the best part, diversity isn’t just a corporate buzzword; it’s the secret sauce to innovation.
Think about it – if we only ever listened to the same voices, we’d still be using dial-up internet and playing Snake on our Nokia phones. (Admittedly, Snake was a masterpiece, but let’s not get stuck in 2002.)
But simply accepting diversity isn’t enough. We need to embrace it, hug it, grasp it, and never let go! The best teams don’t just tolerate different perspectives; they celebrate them. And what’s the best way to encourage people to bring their full me to the table? Recognition. Encouragement.
A little high-five (virtual or real). When team members know their contributions matter, they’re more likely to pour their energy, creativity, and passion into the mission.
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little appreciation? Even a “Great job!” or a surprise coffee run can work wonders. (Pro tip: If you bring coffee, you instantly become everyone’s favorite team member 🙂
So, here’s the real question: How are you bringing out the me in your team? Are you leading by example? Building trust? Welcoming new perspectives? Encouraging and celebrating efforts? , Or are you stuck in the ‘clipboard coach’ phase? (Don’t worry, we won’t judge just don’t stay there too long!)
At the end of the day, teamwork isn’t about blending into the background. It’s about showing up, standing out, and lifting others as you rise. And who knows? Maybe the best teams aren’t just teams, they’re collections of strong, confident me’s who know that together, they can achieve anything. And if all else fails, just remember: A little humor, a lot of trust, and maybe an occasional office pizza party never hurt anybody 🙂
BizKademy is presenting a digital course – Power of Teams based on the book by Qaiser Abbas, to overcome these issues and make your team excel just by adapting a few strategies.
