What is We?

In leadership the term ‘we’ is used frequently to demonstrate team or shared work. In my 41-year marriage, ‘we’ means my spouse has identified the work, but I’ll will be doing it. So, what is the power in the word we?

The phrase "The Power of We" often refers to the strength and potential that comes from collective action and collaboration. It emphasizes the idea that individuals working together can achieve more than they could alone. I attended a conference this spring that was all about the “power of we’. Hosted by ANCOR, a national membership group for providers serving people with intellectual disabilities, it created an atmosphere of collaboration and a voice of togetherness.

As a nonprofit CEO, I think about the key aspects in my nonprofit world and how each of our nonprofits are strengthened by coming together in collective efforts. Words like synergy, shared goals and innovation come forefront in my thoughts.

Synergy: When we work together and combine our unique skills, perspectives, and resources we create outcomes greater than the sum of our individual contributions.

Shared Goals: Most of us came into this work to serve people and sometimes feel like the business side can get in our way. However, collaborating together allows for the alignment of efforts towards common objectives, which can be more effective than isolated efforts. For example, my business side can support your service passion for stronger outcomes.

Innovation: Some of us are visionary people and others are collaborative doers. Working together in group collaboration we can foster creativity and innovation, as diverse perspectives and ideas come together to solve problems in novel ways.

Support and Encouragement: Being part of a collective effort provides emotional and moral support, increasing motivation and resilience in the face of challenges. Our work can be lonely and the availability to chat, get feedback, lean on a peer or just plain whine when we need to isn’t always readily a phone call away. The collective power of we, opens the door to conversations.

Resource Pooling: Groups can pool their resources, whether they be financial, material, or intellectual, to tackle larger projects and challenges. With today’s economic outlook, its hard to compete with large companies for finance and human resource people. And with the need to strengthen our use of technology with little margin to purchase and maintain software, pooling our resources together can be a great option.

My fellow leaders, there is more than enough work for all of us. When we lean into the ‘power of we’ and move forward in partnership and collaboration, we can work from a position of strength. It underscores the idea that working together can lead to being more effective and have more impactful outcomes than working alone.