The Question that Transformed My View of Leadership & Collaboration

After a week of team strategy days full of personal growth, a single question completely changed my outlook on collaboration.

We faced an issue with punctuality. So at the start of one session, we playfully locked the door for the late comers, and posted a sign asking them to reflect on why they were late.

This wasn't meant to shame them, but to offer a learning opportunity: what commitments conflicted with their agreement to be on time?

Inside, our facilitators posed another thought-provoking question: Why do you think they were late?

And just when I felt a surge of self-righteousness, they followed with: What could you have done to help them be on time?

This shift in perspective was illuminating, a profound turning point. If we truly operate as a team, not just individuals, I realized, I needed to consider my role in others' challenges, regardless of whether they were in my 'circle' or my direct authority.

Taking initiative wasn't about formal authority. It was as simple as reminding someone of the time or offering a nudge. Yet, it didn't occur to me that I was feeling only responsible for myself being on time.

This distancing behavior stemmed from a fear of association with, or blame for, their "failure." And a mental model that in order to improve the results, they just need to be called out and reminded of their accountability.

Yet, this mindset undermines the essence of teamwork. If we want to go far together, then this way of thinking and behaving is counterproductive. We need to 'call each other in', not out. (Great video on this)

That approach doesn't diminish the value of personal accountability; rather, it's an opportunity to expand our leadership and co-creation capacities. Embracing this mindset isn't just about sharing the weight of failures; it's foundational to celebrating our collective successes.

P.S. This journey to a deeper understanding of teamwork was also shaped by a model that helped me see this, which I shared in a following post - click here to read.