How Do You Lead a Team When Everyone Brings Their Own Box to the Table?

Leadership is often described as a rewarding journey, but let’s be honest – sometimes it feels like you’re managing a plate of pounded yam and soup with one hand while balancing on a bicycle in the rain. It’s not always smooth sailing, but it’s definitely a ride worth taking. One of the biggest lessons I have learnt as a leader is that understanding your team’s background, experiences, and unique traits is not just helpful; it is essential. People don’t leave their pasts at the office door, and their histories often influence how they work, think and perform.

I once worked with a team member who thrived on clear direction but struggled with independent creativity. She could only perform tasks when given explicit instructions, meaning you often found yourself constantly telling her what to do, even with aspects of her own work. It felt like you had to be the one to remind her of what needed to be done. Every time I said, "Think outside the box," her expression seemed to say, "What box? Please show me the box first." After a one-on-one meeting, I discovered the root cause - her upbringing emphasised strict guidance over exploration. On the other hand, I once worked with a team member who grew up fending for themselves. This individual was a human ideas machine, always innovating and never waiting for instructions.

Research supports this: a study by Gallup found that teams that leverage individual strengths see a 12.5% increase in productivity. Understanding your team’s unique backgrounds can help unlock their full potential. As management guru Peter Drucker once said, “The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths that makes a system’s weaknesses irrelevant.”

Ironically, I didn’t fully grasp the complexity of leadership until I was thrown into the deep end. When my supervisor resigned at a previous job and I inherited her role, I gained a newfound appreciation for the position. Suddenly, I was managing her tasks, absorbing her pressures, and fielding endless questions like a human search engine. Her obsession with quality and insistence on rejecting half-baked ideas suddenly made perfect sense. Budget constraints, company culture, and strategic alignment - those pesky details we often overlook - became my reality. Stepping into her shoes not only humbled me but also deepened my respect for her. It was a true case of 'you never know what someone is facing until you walk in their shoes.'

As leaders, we often carry the weight of steering the ship, but the crew is just as vital. Here’s where teamwork shines: a supportive team doesn’t just lighten the load - they are the fuel subsidy your leadership journey needs. When teams understand their leaders’ challenges and work collaboratively, the results are magical. After all, teamwork makes the dream work (and saves the leader from importing gray hairs prematurely!).

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A Quick Recipe for a Thriving Team:

1. Know Your People: Understand their strengths and how their backgrounds shape their work styles.
2. Communicate Clearly: Never assume; always articulate. Remember, not everyone can read minds or decode your “office Pidgin.”"Clearly communicate your needs and expectations, especially when working with a team member who tends to wait for instructions before taking action. It's important to effectively convey that taking initiative and finding solutions to problems, rather than complaining, is the way forward. Set clear goals and ensure that each team member is well-informed and aligned with your expectations. This will help avoid confusion and prevent the question of 'What box?' from arising."
3. Support Your Leader: Leaders need cheerleaders too. Celebrate their wins, and don’t be afraid to offer constructive feedback.
4. Embrace Diversity: Different perspectives aren’t roadblocks – they are pathways to innovation.

Leadership is challenging, yes. But when we lead with insight and empathy, we turn challenges into opportunities. As Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie beautifully puts it, 'Leadership is about empathy, about understanding and connecting with others.' So, to my fellow leaders, let’s remember: the best ideas sometimes come from the least expected places, and the best teams thrive when every member feels seen, heard, and valued.

And if you’re still wondering about the box - just break it. Sometimes, that is where the magic happens.

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