All things Purple!
Karen Turton
CEO @ Purple Story | Ambassador for Girls Out Loud | Founder, Performance Coach, Learning Director | Speaker | Doctoral Researcher
I have genuinely lost count of what edition we are on but I do know I feel compelled to write this purple article! Life as an accidental entrepreneur is one of constant change and evolution - you see I am always learning, in fact you could call me a perpetual learner. It is something I have come to realise is my super power and one that I will never take for granted!!!!
So, in this episode I want to share what has resonated with me over the last few weeks and perhaps it will resonate with you too!
What are we covering?
Nothing too controversial lol!
Why I have a problem with the statement "There is no I in team"!
I’ve often heard the phrase “There is no ‘I’ in team,” and it’s always bothered me. It’s a saying commonly used in sports, business, and quite frankly all over the place, to emphasise the importance of teamwork over individual efforts. The idea is that success comes from collective effort rather than personal achievement. Coaches and managers use it to foster unity, reminding us that we need to think about what’s best for the team rather than focusing on our own glory.
In it for the greater good rather than personal gain
In sports, for instance, coaches repeat this phrase to stress that personal egos should be set aside for the greater good. It’s a way to encourage players to work together, to pass the ball, to trust each other. (Something potentially missing with the England football team - sorry if that is too close to home). In the business world, it’s about promoting cooperation among team members. Leaders want to cultivate a culture where everyone understands that achieving goals is a shared responsibility. It’s about reducing conflicts, supporting each other, and focusing on the collective success rather than individual accolades.
But here’s where I have a problem with this statement.
While it’s true that teamwork is crucial, and the success of any group relies on collaboration, the phrase can sometimes be overused or misinterpreted. It suggests that individual contributions aren’t as important, which I don’t believe is the case. Every team is made up of individuals, each bringing their unique skills, talents, and perspectives.
To dismiss the value of individual effort is to ignore what makes a team truly strong.
I think about the historical context of this phrase. It’s been attributed to various sports coaches and motivational speakers over the years, and even Michael Jordan has used a variation of it. But even Jordan, in all his team-oriented success, recognised the importance of individual excellence. His twist on the phrase was, “There is no ‘I’ in team, but there is in win.” This suggests a balance – yes, we work together, but we also recognise and celebrate individual contributions.
I love cycling! I am not fast by any stretch of the imagination but I love it! The thing here is that it is not the team that won 35 stages for Mark Cavendish it was him! It was the I! Yes, his team got him within touching distance, carrying him up the hills (not literally) but he did the sprint, he won the race! The team culture of support allowed him to perform! You can have the most amazing culture but unless there is an accountability for results then performance is not always delivered!
Culture comes from the team, performance comes from the I!
In my view, we need to strike a balance. Yes, let’s work together, support each other, and focus on our collective goals. But let’s also celebrate individual achievements, recognise unique contributions, and encourage personal growth. After all, a team is only as strong as its individual members. So, while there might be no ‘I’ in team, there certainly is in innovation, inspiration, and individuality AND PERFORMANCE! #justsaying
Why being a sceptic is a powerful leadership trait!
I am a sceptic and learning to be even more of one and it is a positive thing! At its core, scepticism is an approach to understanding the world that involves questioning and critically examining information before accepting it as true. A sceptic doesn’t take things at face value; instead, they seek evidence and logical reasoning to support claims. This mindset isn’t about being cynical or negative; rather, it’s about maintaining a healthy level of doubt and curiosity that drives deeper understanding and more informed decision-making.
If you have been on a Purple Story (The Home of Operational Excellence) course you will have heard me bang on about the Pyramid of Trust and how conflict is healthy! You could change the word conflict here for sceptic or in simple terms helps me understand!!!
Scepticism often gets a bad rap, associated with doubt and negativity. However, being a sceptic can be incredibly beneficial, both personally and professionally. Here are several reasons why embracing scepticism can be a positive and empowering approach to life:
Scepticism encourages us to think critically. By questioning the information we receive, we are compelled to analyse and evaluate evidence, leading to more logical and reasoned conclusions. This critical thinking skill is invaluable in a world where information is abundant but not always accurate. You only have to look at the fake news on socials or even your own subjectivity! We have all held on to that team member longer than we should have done!
2. Enhances Decision-Making
When we approach decisions with a sceptical mindset, we are less likely to fall prey to biases or make impulsive choices. Sceptics weigh the pros and cons, consider various perspectives, and seek out reliable data before making a decision. I am finding this myself, at the moment, with my studies as I am having to be much more critical with my thinking (not easy when you are as high yellow as I am)!
3. Encourages Lifelong Learning
Sceptics are naturally curious and open to learning. Their need to verify facts and seek evidence drives them to continuously acquire new knowledge. This mindset keeps them updated and informed, fostering a habit of lifelong learning. That would be me then!!!!
4. Protects Against Manipulation
In an age of misinformation and persuasive marketing, scepticism acts as a shield against manipulation. Sceptics are less likely to be swayed by false claims, misleading statistics, or emotional appeals. They demand proof and are therefore less susceptible to being deceived.
5. Fosters Healthy Debate
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- Sceptics are often seen as valuable contributors to discussions and debates. Their questioning nature brings different viewpoints to light and encourages a deeper exploration of the topic at hand. This can lead to more robust and well-rounded discussions, ultimately leading to better solutions and understanding.
6. Strengthens Resilience
By constantly questioning and seeking evidence, sceptics build mental resilience. They are better equipped to handle uncertainty and adapt to new information or changing circumstances. This resilience is crucial in both personal and professional realms, allowing individuals to navigate complexities with confidence.
7. Encourages Transparency and Accountability
Sceptics demand transparency and accountability from others. Whether in politics, business, or personal relationships, this insistence on evidence and truth fosters an environment where honesty and integrity are valued. It helps create a culture of accountability, where claims and actions are scrutinised and validated.
In conclusion, scepticism is not about doubting everything or being a contrarian (good word - did your Mum every call you a contrary Mary - or was that just me??) for the sake of it. It’s about fostering a mindset that values evidence, encourages critical thinking, and seeks the truth. By embracing scepticism, we can make better decisions, protect ourselves from misinformation, and contribute positively to discussions and debates. In a world full of uncertainties and complex information, being a sceptic is not just positive – it’s essential.
I am proud to be a sceptic and at Purple Story we pride ourselves in facilitating critical thinking sessions that are about promoting curiosity, stepping away from bias and yes that includes growing your sceptic!
Why surrounding yourself with the RIGHT people is critical to your performance!
SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE IS LIKE ROCKET FUEL TO PERFORMANCE!
And I do not mean the same people, or like minded people I mean the RIGHT people!
AT Purple Story (The Home of Operational Excellence) we know what makes us tick as we have all completed our #Sparketypes profile for where we find joy at work (did you know we are the ONLY people accredited to work with this in the UK????)!
The picture is my kick ass board! We all have our differences but we all share the BIG vision for growing Purple Story! Brian Bagnall is pushing us to be better, Jody Bennett is just the BEST sounding board, Lynda Merryweather is paving the way for our growth and Matt Howcroft is making sure we try to do what we say we are going to do!
Being #purple is not about being perfect but it is about learning! We grow together, we make mistakes together but we are ALWAYS A LINE OF ONE!
Finally
How AI is making me a more efficient leader!
Are you using ChatGPT yet? If not, why the hell not? Being a leader in a digital age is about being efficient, we are surrounded by data and information and everything is on demand and OMG sometimes it can all be a little overwhelming!!!!
There is a massive difference between being LAZY and being EFFICIENT!
I am using AI to be more efficient, not to do my work for me but sometimes to get me started!
For example, I am off to Oslo next week to see my Norwegian Goddaughter and I want to visit some craft ale bars (obviously!) Top tip - Lervig House Party (one of my faves!) I could go and spend at least half an hour on Google and not get anywhere or I could ask ChatGPT
I am going to Oslo next week and want to visit the top craft ales bars. please do me a summary table of the top ones where they are and how far walking from the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz in Oslo they are?
It took me less than 2 minutes to write that sentence and here is what I got in less than 20 seconds!
So, if you are not yet finding ways of being more efficient and preventing those time thieves stealing your time then you know what you need to do!!!
PS here is a picture of that House Party just to keep you going!
Thanks as always for reading and remember we are here to support you to drive performance and make a difference!
Hope you enjoy this read and please share!
Purple Love until the next time
KT x
Every Connection Counts (ECC) Director/Trainer/Coach/Facilitator/Associate/Mentor/Insights Discovery Accredited
4 个月Loving the organised bar crawl by your mate Chat!!! It’s about efficiencies - less time in the planning phase, more time on the execution phase I see!!!!????
I work with leaders and coaches, to support and challenge them to tap into their hidden strengths and talents, so they can thrive and live their lives of fulfilment. Using coaching tools you will find your hidden self!
4 个月Thanks for sharing Karen Turton I too love learning and often term myself as a 'Personal Development Junkie', it gives me joy and energy when I learn. Your scepticism interested me as I generally say I turn to curiosity and wonder, which keeps me digging deep to find more facts, however, keeps me out of the place of judgement, which is always a good think being a coach. I enjoy working with the Lencioni model too, its interesting how teams realise how fragile they really are without the healthy conflict. Challenging Coaching does put the finger in the ribs, however, it also ensures that coaches have a very big arm to put around their clients shoulders too. I will look forward to reading more of your blogs, you and I certainly do thinking in similar ways.
Experienced Senior General Manager within Premium & Branded Pub/Restaurants & Hotels.
4 个月Love it ????