Teams. They make us or break us. The whole can be greater than the sum of its’ parts; or, nothing gets done because of misalignment or disagreement. One stellar teammate cannot rescue a team from lack of engagement of each team member. It’s as true in organizations as it is in families and communities.
Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, clearly believes trust is the essence of a vibrant, effective team. Trust enables team members to enter into healthy conflict, the kind of “unfiltered debate” that enables the most relevant and creative problem solving to take place. This process leads to great results.
When I first began coaching almost 20 years ago, I held so much hope in the power of the individual contributor. Strong leaders who developed a lifestyle of lifelong learning, passion, and focus were my heroes. They still are. However, they cannot turn an organization around without the support of an engaged, skilled team.
Over the years, it has become clear to me that true change takes place in the context of teams. It is a joy to me to help teams learn how to foster healthy conflict, commit to mutually agreed upon results, and truly make a difference. If you find yourself frustrated in your present role, perhaps the true fix extends beyond yourself. It could involve bolstering up the teammates who you spend a large part of your life interfacing with each day.
Fran works with teams, including using the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team assessment, for which Arden Coaching recently became an Authorized Partner. You can learn more about our partnership HERE.
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To speak with Fran about your own experience with teams or getting yours on track, please contact her today for a complimentary consult.