Team Leadership | Is Your Team Really First?

If you’re in a leadership position, you already know by now that not everyone is a team player.

If asked, just about everyone will tell you they are (especially in the interview room).

But, the truth is, we live in a society of “getting what’s min” and “looking out for number one.”

After all, we are selfish by nature, right?

And, many business owners, leaders, and CEOs have enjoyed great “success” by employing me-first attitudes and dictator tactics.

Maybe it’s just that I’m not smart enough to pull that off, but I prefer the team-first approach.

Team-First Leaders

Team-first leaders will do more than just give lip-service to the concept of teamwork. They understand that their success often depends on the success of others.

When was the last time you heard a story of a soldier ignoring the commands of his superiors and charging into enemy territory alone and single-handedly defeating an entire army?

That may sell movies tickets, but it’s not the best blueprint for victory.

Now, before you begin to make mental notes on those in your business or organization who are not team players, perhaps a little self-examination is in order.

Are You Really About Teamwork? (Tough Questions)

A mentor once told me that many people live like they are in a movie about their own life, and everyone else is just an extra.

Is this you?

Are your employees and co-workers just pawns in a game where you are the king or queen?

Do you genuinely care about building a great team and investing personally in your team members?

Do you have a genuine interest in other members of your team becoming successful?

Do you want to enjoy success with your team or do you hoard all success for yourself?

Do you truly want to connect with your team?

By now, some of you may want to start a new internet leadership search, because I’ve struck a nerve in a place you don’t want to explore.

Maybe you’re even thinking that this idea of “teamwork” just seems like wishful thinking and not based in reality.

Or, maybe, it just sounds like too much work.

Well, the fact is, building a great team isn’t easy. 

Keeping a great team together might be even harder.

It requires constant effort, sacrifice and self-evaluation on the part of the team’s leader.

But, it can be done, and I believe the most gratifying successes are those achieved with teamwork.

Team Leadership Aspirations… Next Steps

So, what kind of leader do you want to be?

Do you aspire to be a leader who promotes teamwork and shared success?

If the answer to that question is yes, then what are you doing that might be preventing that from happening?

What are you willing to change to become a team-first leader? 

Are you willing to change?

What are you willing to sacrifice to make others successful?

Here’s your practical next step…

Write down three ways in which you can serve the team or group of people that you lead in your business or organization.

And here’s how I would define “serve”… doing something for someone else’s benefit or enjoyment that in no way benefits yourself.

Once you’ve come up with your list, it’s time to put it in play. It’s part of practicing being unselfish.

I think you’ll find that it will not only bring happiness to your team members, but it will motivate them to want to serve others on your team as well.

Once you’ve finished those three things on your list, make another list and do those things as well. Keep doing this and you will see a difference in your team or organization for the better. And, you’ll be on your way to taking your team leadership to the next level.

The bad news is that a culture of teamwork doesn’t happen overnight.

The great news is that it’s extremely rewarding and fulfilling to be a part of. Not just for the team members, but for the leader as well.

Go TEAM!