The Joy of Teamwork

Inclusivity, fun and vunerability - the key to a successful team?

Have you ever considered how comparable tv programmes are to “business”, or, more accurately, “people in business”???

It’s something I do often – consider parallels between what’s on screen and what goes on in the office.?

My lovely friend and colleague Rachel Atkinson , (The People Choreographer) will tell you how she gains inspiration from Strictly Come Dancing. I also love the inclusivity and “anything is possible” approach that they take. Whilst they are all competing against each other for the Glitter Ball, they all come together as a team and support each other completely.?

However, the programme I just adore, can’t get enough of and inspires me beyond words, is Queer Eye – I loved the original series but the Netflix series’ are just awesome.?

Why do I love it so much? Where do I start? The Fab 5 as they’ve been named, have a very clear purpose. To make everyone they work with embrace their best selves and live their best life whilst recognising their selflessness.

Both shared experiences and differing experiences can help us bond...

As a group of LGBGT males, they all have very raw experiences, predominantly homophobia and racism. They hail from very different backgrounds and are honest about the struggles they have faced. They are vulnerable - something that isn’t easy for many of us, (usually because we don’t feel safe). The Fab 5 are vulnerable on GLOBAL television, they put themselves out there to help change attitudes! For that I applaud them. The team is always honest with their “victims” but in a very constructive way because it will ultimately help that person achieve their goals.?

Each has their own area of expertise and work together as a collaborative team to achieve their goal – to make the person that they are working with look good, feel good about themselves and make the environment they live in somewhere they are proud of and love to be.

Don't put people in boxes, and be open to new things...

As I’m writing this, I am re-watching Queer Eye and a team of burly firemen are learning how to look after their skin and soak their feet in essential oils. Helping to educate them in the delights of aromatherapy to help to de-stress. The firemen love it and open up to the team – the Fab 5 do a brilliant job of putting just about anyone at ease, they crush barriers and I LOVE it.?

Whilst I realise this is television, they have a lot of fun. But fun shouldn’t be limited to outside the workplace. We should all have fun at work, we need fun and whilst it may appear that it’s wasting time, nothing could be further from the truth, fun and laughter empower and energise us, it makes us more effective and productive when we have fun and laugh!?

So why am I writing about Queer Eye, not normally a topic for business-focused posts??

Because not only does it demonstrate true teamwork, real diversity, inclusion and belonging, by giving the viewer a candid insight to just how these values can be put into action, it also shows the power of vulnerability and what can be achieved when you open up and allow yourself to work with others.?

It doesn’t matter who you are, your background or your values and beliefs we can all work well together, support and learn from each other.?

Businesses and teams can be totally inclusive and can be successful and thrive through difference. Yes, attitudes still need to be shifted, yes there is still a lot of work to be done but slowly but we ARE making strides towards a more inclusive world, it’s a change we can make together.?

I’d love it if you could take just five or ten minutes today to consider how inclusive your workplace is? Could you do more? Do you need help? Let me know.