Corporate Leaders Drive Team Dynamics

Leadership comes from the top down

To be a good leader you have to know who you really are and unafraid to share your story.  You need to be authentic.  Authenticity drives your vision through the organization and provides a touch point for the people who implement your organization's objectives.  

Your mindset is emulated by the leadership team and impacts team dynamics and departmental communication.  Organizations, like people, have values and those values form the culture in which people work. 

When the leadership team is reluctant to admit to being human, department heads and team leads are also reluctant to admit to project issues that might have an adverse impact on the bottom line. 

Without a safe environment to be authentic and honest, you create dysfunctional teams. 

Watch the video below as Patrick Lencioni, author of "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" describes what happens in that type of organization.





Practice Self Control

Let this be a word of caution to you if you are a new leader or supervisor.  Get to know your subordinates, spend time with them in social situations.  This presents you as a person, not just a manager.  It also allows you to learn what motivates them.  In today's multi-generational team settings, your employees intrinsic and extrinsic needs are varied. 

If your objective is to dominate them because you're in charge, chances are you will not learn any of the issues with your project until it is almost too late.  If they don't know you and find you authentic, they will be reluctant to bring you the information you need, when you need it. 

Remember You Can't Please Everyone

Yes, I know that's an old saying, but it's true.  As you reveal your authentic self, you will receive myriad responses from those around you.  But remember this, if you have a hundred employees, you will have a hundred reputations.  This is beyond your control because you cannot prevent this behavior.  Everyone sees you through the autobiography of their own experiences.  However, by being authentic, you can reach a place where you don't take it personally. 

With an authentic mindset you can create an environment where the "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" doesn't happen in your organization.

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