The “I” in TEAM

I spent my childhood as a lone wolf, an outsider, preferring solitary adventures over community events. I was drawn to unique activities, like competing in extreme sports and music production. As a rambunctious youth, I was often causing mischief and needed a great deal of guidance and boundary setting.?

Joining the military at the age of 19 was a major milestone for me. This highly regimented and controlled environment proved to be overwhelming, but I was driven and ambitious to overcome these hurdles.?

Two years into my service, I became part of a specific unit that was deployed to the border of Lebanon. Later, our unit was assigned a new commander- a young individual fresh out of lieutenant training. This young commander challenged my perception of leadership. After all, what could I possibly learn from a “kid”? I was older and therefor wiser (or so I thought).?

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This commander turned out to be the catalyst I needed to reshape my way of thinking and awaken my leadership potential. Under his guidance, I witnessed a different style of leadership- one that was characterized by humility, open communication, trust, and genuine concern for the well-being of the unit. He did not rely on his rank to assert authority; in fact, he removed all signs of rank from his uniform, thus emphasizing a more egalitarian approach.??

Two years later, he lost his life in battle after falling into a “terror tunnel”.

I have spent my entire adult life reflecting on his leadership style. I have asked myself what made this young man such an exceptional leader and how can I personally embody these same qualities. The impact he had on me was intense. His untimely death only served to deepen my commitment to carry on his legacy by one day leading a team of my own.

Since then, I have built a career in high tech. I became fascinated with the concept of “the cloud” and how it can revolutionize the world. In the back of my mind, my desire to build and lead a team has continued to grow.?

This dream came to fruition in 2016, when my direct manager and mentor presented me with a task. He asked me to write a proposal outlining a change I believed would positively impact our organization. At first, I took a by-the-book approach and put together a one-page long summary.??When I presented my proposal to him the next day, I could sense his disappointment. But rather than dismissing my efforts, he chose this moment as a valuable teaching opportunity. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Now go home and write how?YOU?would do it differently.”

His words struck a chord within me, and I realized that he was challenging me to think beyond the conventional, and to start transitioning from being an IC (individual contributor) to becoming a manager. The key word was “YOU”; he was looking for my unique point of view. This realization sparked a profound shift in my perspective and marked a pivotal moment in my career.?

I went home and reevaluated my proposal. I pushed myself to depart from the technical standpoint I was used to and instead embrace a broader way of thinking. The result was a 15-page proposal about how I would lead a team of my own. I like to think of this as “the I in team”.

Two months later I was entrusted my very first team- a small group of six individual contributors. It is at this point where I started to see leadership and management as two complementary but distinct mindsets. They are often used interchangeably but the truth is that both are unique and important positions.?

I believe management is associated with formal authority and power that is based on an individual’s position; it is assigned and well defined. It focuses on tasks such as planning, organizing, and mitigating issues on a case-by-case scenario and is essential for maintaining order and efficiency within an organization. It is a manager’s job to create and maintain a solid framework- like a metaphorical fence. A well-built fence provides stability and support to the entire team.?

Leadership focuses on a different set of skills, such as inspiration, vision, and charisma. A leader needs to be able to think creatively and innovatively. It is a leader’s job to communicate effectively and create a supportive, inclusive, and respectful environment. A leader should remain humble and open to feedback, and willing to adapt to unexpected challenges while protecting his team.?

Leadership can emerge from anyone within a team, regardless of their age, experience, or position. Some people are born leaders and others acquire the skill as they grow. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership because it is the human element that unifies and empowers the team. Every leader brings something unique to the table. To successfully lead, an individual must practice what they preach. When that person is leading by example, it affects the way they interact with their peers, customers, or even people outside the organization itself.??

Like my late commander, I believe in removing the rank from the uniform. I try to ensure my team members maintain a healthy work-life balance. By prioritizing their needs and showing trust in them, I hope to earn their loyalty, respect, and dedication. I see my success and my team’s success as one and the same.?

There may not be an “I” in TEAM, but there is an “I” in LEADER.

I am as strong as my weakest link. And just like a pack of wolves, leaders must be put both at the front and at the end; no soldier is left behind. When we move as a unit, we build trust that goes beyond the workspace.?

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