How can you improve team leadership and organizational culture?

One of the tools that I have used in the past is to ask someone not related to the team to run a listening session. The objective is to capture objective feedback about how the team are feeling, areas where they feel they could improve and what are the areas that are causing them the most concern. By doing this without the leader or direct management involves it can create a safe and confidential environment in which the team can feel heard. Alternatively this is something you could run yourself as a leader.

Rather than defining "your" vision, why not involve the team and collectively define a vision that all support, understand, and own? Changing culture begins by not being at the top of the ladder, but by supporting everyone on the ladder.

There are 4 key areas that I think managers need to concentrate on in order to elevate their leadership skills. There are: Core - understanding yourself so you can create confidence in how you show up Communication - building a variety of communication skills to have more Impact and Influence Connection - to manage and get more from the relationships that you create so you can unlock greater levels of Influence and Impact Compassion - Compassion sits at the centre of all relationships and is key to the Impact you have as a Leader

Learn servant leadership skills - active listening, engaging the team, developing the team and their skills, and self-reflection. The more you are about the team rather than you, the stronger the team grows and the better your leadership.

One of the best ways is to learn facilitation skills. These skills enable you to be an effective servant leader. You learn how to engage your team, how to manage conflict, how to actively listen, how to hold effective and productive meetings, and how to form teams.

One of the simplest ways to build trust with a team is by doing exactly what you say you are going to do. It may sound simple but by doing this the team will see that as a leader you keep your word arounds the actions that you take on.

Team building is a process, that most struggle to understand at some point in time in their career journey. For me, it’s always been a simplistic approach, where I assess each team member based on their individual level within the organization. Then, I ask the questions that will provide me with more insight into their thought process. At this time, I have a better feel for who they are and what is their thought process. Once I gather this information, I transition into providing a safe and trusted environment. Allow each team member to be heard. Provide a seat at the table for each and let them be free to be themselves via, their instinctive strengths.

If you learn to facilitate, you will build trust and collaboration through engaging your team in facilitated workshops. That enables them to be part of the process and learn collaboration through your example.

Many simple and effective ways to have a positive impact on your teams. 1. Always keep in mind the “People” element. 2. Be clear on objectives and goals. 3. Actively engage everyone. 4. Actively listen to everyone. 5. Keep an open mind to everyone’s thoughts and ideas. 6. Always provide a safe and trusted work environment. The list can go on and on, but as leaders, we have the obligation and responsibility to create more leaders. Show up first for your people and let them be free to be themselves and ALWAYS have their back!!

One way is to set an example - engage the team in a facilitated workshop to define vision, goals, roles and responsibilities, etc. That engages the team, gains commitment and support, and sets an example that the people matter.