Saw this quote today: "We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we trust, respect, and care for each other." It got me thinking about what it takes to be a real team versus just a group of people working in parallel. In my experience, a true team requires intentionality. Without that, you often just end up with individuals doing their jobs alongside each other, which can lead to reduced efficiency and a lack of job satisfaction—and ultimately, more turnover. There are really only two ways forward in this situation: Either plan your work so it can withstand frequent turnover, or work to build a cohesive team where people feel valued and satisfied in their roles. For me, it's always been about the latter—and that means understanding what makes each person feel connected and motivated. Every individual is different, and as a leader, it’s our job to see and understand each person so we can lead the entire team effectively. How do you keep your team connected and motivated?
Your success, my mission | 3x founder & CEO | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 24 years of hard-earned leadership & self-mastery wisdom
I used to think teamwork was just about getting things done together. Boy, was I wrong. In my first leadership role, I pushed my team hard. We hit every deadline. But something was missing. The energy was off. People looked... drained. That's when it hit me: A group of people working side by side isn't a team. It's just a bunch of individuals sharing an office. Real teams are built on something deeper: ? Trust that has your back ? Respect that values your voice ? Care that sees you as a person, not just an employee I changed my approach. Started listening more. Showing appreciation. Asking about lives outside work. The transformation was unreal. We got a whole lot more done. But most important? Smiles returned. Ideas flowed. People had each other's backs. We weren't just coworkers anymore. We were a team. Look... You can force people to work together. But you can't force them to be a team. True teams are built on relationships, not just results. P.S. What's your secret for building real team trust? ?? Enjoy this? Repost to inspire others. ?? Follow Justin Wright for more like this.