Creating a strong microculture

As a leader, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that a team culture makes or breaks success. The culture of a team shapes how work gets done, how we communicate, and how successful we are. In my years as a manager, I have worked hard to create a strong team culture that embraces personal connection, trust, and inclusivity.

As I will reference in my first point, vulnerability is a key element to building a successful team - and to that point, I want to be vulnerable with anyone reading this - this is my first go at writing an article for LinkedIn… I welcome feedback, but please be kind!

One of the most powerful things I have learned as a leader is the importance of vulnerability and authentic personal connections with team members. It can feel uncomfortable to open up and show that you’re human - especially as a leader - but I have found that doing so creates deeper trust, better communication, and a stronger sense of unity.

Being vulnerable as a leader also helps break down hierarchical barriers. My Dad, a longtime salesman, gave me a key piece of advice early in my career (or perhaps before) that I continue to recall. He said that when he goes to a sales call at any organization he makes a point to make a connection and treat everyone with kindness and respect regardless of their role in the organization. This has stuck with me and is a guiding principle in how I lead - everyone has merit and everyone can contribute something of importance to the success of a team.

Building personal connections starts with making an effort to really get to know each other. It’s more than just talking about work - it’s taking the time to understand who your team members are, what drives them, and what they care about outside of the office. 

Lead with openness - I make a point to share things about myself - whether it’s a recent challenge I faced or something personal happening in my life. This invites others to do the same, helping us all to relate on a deeper level. When people feel connected and safe to be vulnerable, communication naturally improves. Instead of hiding concerns or avoiding tough conversations, we can speak openly about what is going well and what is not. This foundation of trust allows us to perform at a higher level because we’re not just working with colleagues - we’re working with people we genuinely care about. 

Thus mutual caring allows everyone on the team to feel safe - they feel comfortable speaking up, taking risks, and making mistakes without fear of being judged or criticized. Teams operating in fear do not function well - team members are afraid to offer ideas, share concerns, or admit mistakes because they worry they’ll look bad or face criticism. But when team members feel safe they speak up and contribute more freely, which leads to better problem-solving, creativity, and, ultimately, productivity. 

Seek different perspectives - It is a fact that teams that have a diversity of thought, experience, and background are more innovative and creative. Bringing together different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking opens the door to new ideas. As many leaders say ‘I never want to be the smartest person in the room.’ It should be ‘I never want to close my mind to other perspectives or ideas.’ If you have a strong microculture on your team, one that embraces personal connection, trust, and inclusivity, you will have success as a team, and team members will feel engaged and motivated to do their very best to make the team shine.

Building a strong microculture on a team isn’t something that happens quickly or is ever truly ‘done’. It requires an effort by the team and the leader to reflect frequently and evolve as the needs or expectations of the team shift. It takes each person on the team, but as a leader, I set the tone for how we work together. Being vulnerable means being honest and true. Building trust means ensuring that team members know they can count on you. Being inclusive means you genuinely listen to ideas and consider them. 

By focusing on trust, personal connection, and inclusivity I have seen firsthand how a team can become more collaborative, creative, and resilient. Team members feel motivated and empowered to do their best work. It makes all the hard work worth it!