When Teams Get Selfie-ish | Fighting For Unity Amongst Teams
It’s not very hard in today’s world to make a name for yourself.
The age of internet and social media has created outlets for individual unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
Want to have a hit music video? No problem! Just lip sync a song and post it on TikTok or Instagram and watch the views pile up.
Want to get noticed? That’s easy! Just take some selfies and post them on social media every chance you get… Someone will notice.
But, you know, as neat as it may be for people to share their lives digitally and instantly in today’s tech-driven world, it’s hard not to think that all we’ve done is to make it easier for people to say, “hey world, look at me, I’m important!”
Now, I am NOT anti-technology.
I think it can be leveraged for great good, both economically and socially. However, it also creates an atmosphere for people to be able live like they are in a movie about their own life.
And, at its core, it really speaks to the selfishness of humanity. After all, selfie and selfish both start with “self,” right?
Leaders, it starts with YOU!
On any team, this mentality of “me” is the arch enemy of the concept of “we.”
When individual motives begin to shift to the “me” part of the spectrum, the group begins to have parts that are moving in opposite directions. And this is how teams die.
In any business or organization, being successful as a team hinges on the ability of individuals in a group PUT AWAY selfishness and function productively together… It’s why unselfish leadership is so critical.
Leaders, it’s critical that you recognize that you yourselves are selfish individuals and the teams you lead are made up of selfish people as well.
This guarantees that they’ll be tension and disunity at times. Expect it, but be prepared for it.
The key is to deal with these issues promptly before they become much larger issues that threaten the success of the team. But, even before that, and more importantly…. leaders, you have to instill in your teams an “others first” mentality. This mentality begins and ends with you, the leader.
You have to set the example of what it looks like to support your team and work together in a way that promotes continued teamwork.
A team made up of members that are concerned with how they can help each other, is a team where needs get met and things get accomplished.
So leaders, your first step to creating this environment of un-selfishness is to show your team what that looks like.
So, here’s some homework… Make a list of 5 things that you can do to personally serve your team. Then… go do them.
It won’t happen overnight, but if you’ll set the example of what a servant looks like. And, if you’ll do it consistently, you’ll be amazed at how the tone of your team and organization can change and how much you and your team can accomplish together.
Then, just maybe… selfies will become yesterday’s news and team pictures can make a comeback!
