Are You Stuck in the Mud About Team Building?
The title of last week’s blog, Is There a Mystery to Team Building1 addressed the successful team building efforts of a local realtor. If there is no mystery or secret, then…
- What is necessary to develop a team?
- Are you stuck in the mud like the person in the photo?
- Do you know how to grow your team?
Below are two critical elements that must be in place to have a professional, proficient, and efficient team.
Integrity and Trust
The key to team building is addressing the leader’s integrity and level of trust. If the first is lacking, then the second will be absent. In my book The Furnace of Leadership Development I wrote, “Integrity is the rock-solid foundation of leadership.”2 Leaders who have strong character develop trust amongst team members and they build upon that foundation. Conversely, leaders who lack integrity are not trusted and team members will not perform to their best abilities. We must look in the mirror and assess what foundation our character is built on.
Allow Dissent
Do you want to see your team shrivel up and never say anything to you? Then slam shut the door of communication and do not allow any dissent. World War II general and later President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Let us never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.” The astute, secure, and mature leader who knows their team will be able to discern the difference between the two.
More to the Story
Integrity, trust, and allowing dissent are critical components for team building. However, there is more to add, and next week’s blog will address the dreaded word of conflict.
Visit my website at www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com to learn more.
1https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com/is-there-a-mystery-to-team-building/
2Rick Davis, The Furnace of Leadership Development (Loveland, CO: Java House Publishing, 2019), 18.
