Investment in Team culture

TEAM CULTURE is not just a nice-to-have aspect of business; it's a critical component that can significantly impact an organization's performance, reputation, and ability to thrive in a competitive market. Businesses that prioritize and invest in building and maintaining a positive team culture tend to see tangible benefits in terms of employee retention, productivity, and overall success.

But are we ready and willing to invest time and energy to build these teams?

Remember that team culture is not static; it evolves over time and can be influenced by various factors, including leadership changes, team composition, and external pressures. Therefore, it's important to actively nurture and cultivate a positive team culture to support the team's effectiveness and well-being.

One of my previous CEOs had the saying: 'Always get the right people on the bus.'

And here starts the challenge; finding talented people is an achievable task, but a group of talented individuals does not make a team per se.

For humans, a lot depends on their chemical interaction with each other. Having the right chemistry in a team is essential for its success. Team chemistry refers to the dynamic and interpersonal relationships among team members that influence how they work together. When the right chemistry exists, team members are more likely to collaborate effectively, communicate openly, and achieve their goals.

But how do we get to the right level of chemistry in a team?

From my experience, one fundamental pillar is TRUST.

Trust is the foundation of good team chemistry. Team members must trust one another to do their jobs competently, meet commitments, and act with integrity. Trust fosters a sense of safety, where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and vulnerabilities.

However, how can team members trust each other when they don't know each other yet? As we all know the phrase: 'Trust needs to be earned,' and there is truth to that statement.

This brings us to the actual most important element and component to create and build a functional team:

LEADERSHIP, Effective team leaders play a significant role in shaping team chemistry. Leaders who lead by example, set clear expectations, and create a positive team culture can enhance chemistry. The moment when a leader earns the trust of his team, that is the moment also the team naturally applies the concept of trust among its own. To earn this trust, a leader must have the willingness to sacrifice him/herself for the greater good of the team. Once this level has been established, all the other necessary components of a successful team fall much easier into place.

Unfortunately, nowadays, many capable leaders are more concerned with their own career outcomes than motivating others.

From my experience, building a team always takes time and requires a lot of effort, but once you have it established and it is functional, it is pretty much unbeatable and returns consistent results, not to mention the amount of fun it generates for the employees in and around that team. It gives a spirit that becomes contagious."