Team Alignment Begins with Trust
Without trust there in no team. Period, End of story. And, I'm not talking about the kind of trust that is limited to being able to predict someone's behavior. If I can predict with 100% certainty that the leader of my team will squash any idea that challenges the leader's wisdom, there is a kind of trust there. I can "trust" what my leader's response will be. Working with me to build Team Alignment means beginning with the kind of trust built on vulnerability. That's right, VULNERABILITY. I "trust" I've just lost some of you . That's a good thing! I'm not the coach for you. If you're still here, you are a courageous leader!
Trust is Built on a Foundation of Vulnerability
I define Vulnerability as a willingness to allow others to "see" who you really are and what you truly stand for. A willingness to be vulnerable involves cutting through the bullshit and getting to the whole heart of the matter. This includes each team member advocating passionately for what they believe and listening with wild curiosity to the perspective of others. Vulnerability requires courage because it brings with it risk. It is the leader's job to model this courage. If the team's leader brings who they really are and what they truly stand for to the team, the members of the team will follow.
Transform apathy, fear, and defensiveness into engagement, collaboration, and pro-active responsibility. Team Alignment is about Values Alignment
When a team is aligned, they are focused on a set of shared values. Each member of the team has a clear understanding of what the priorities are and what their role is in relationship to these priorities.
There is more, however. Alignment necessarily includes an emotional component. Every team member must "know" and "understand" the values, priorities, and their roles in an organization. Question is, Do they care? Are they engaged: emotionally connected to their work and the people around them? Are they inspired? Working with me on Team Alignment means accessing and using the emotional energy to enhance engagement. Click here for a white paper I wrote to learn more about my approach towards Team Alignment. Interested in Learning More? Have a Coaching Conversation with Me.
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"What if instead of individuals trying to figure out what “mask” might offer them the best opportunity for success, the structure of the meeting was reshaped? What if this structure invited the participants to show up without any mask at all? The sign outside the meeting room might read, “Humanity Welcomed!”
"Nursing staff were comfortable and felt heard. The dialogue helped them understand their peers better...We learned as a group that we shared common goals and frustrations and clarified misconceptions."
"Howard and Erin do a great job of leading and creating a safe and inviting space for growth, exploration and change."
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