Team building and leadership are integral components of fostering a productive and harmonious work environment. Successful teams don't emerge by chance; they are deliberately cultivated through effective leadership strategies and thoughtful team-building activities.
When I was a Director of Event Technology, my team of technicians, sales managers, projector managers and coordinators would work together on planning and execution of events. My team was very hands-on, and at the end of the day we would have screens, projectors, stages, lighting, and scenic built. You could almost say our day-to-day work was team building as we all relied on each other to get the job done.
Leading By Caring
Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture of a team. A strong leader not only sets clear goals but also inspires and motivates team members to achieve them. Effective communication is at the heart of leadership, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and understands their roles. Leaders must be approachable, receptive to feedback, and capable of resolving conflicts constructively.
It's important to note that good leadership is good for business too. In my ten years working for Marriott International, I would often hear the quote, “Take care of your employees and they'll take care of your customers.” (This quote from J.W. Marriott, Jr. is in the 1997 book, The Spirit to Serve.) Then when you take good care of your customers, they will return!
As a leader I would often check in with each team member one on one as well as have department meetings. We called these ‘pre-shift meetings’ or ‘change shift meetings’ so we could pass along status updates to one another during these check-ins. I would provide lunch or snacks from a local Chicago restaurant at some of these meetings.
Teaming to Build Trust
Team building is the process of creating cohesion among team members, transcending individual strengths and weaknesses to achieve collective success. One key aspect of team building is establishing trust. Trust forms the foundation of any successful team, fostering open communication and a willingness to collaborate. Team members who trust each other are more likely to share ideas, take risks, and support one another through challenges.
To build trust, leaders must lead by example, demonstrating integrity and reliability. When team members witness consistent ethical behavior from their leaders, they are more likely to emulate those qualities, creating a culture of trust and accountability.
In both my director and manager roles, I always had an open door policy and encouraged an open dialogue. If there was a work problem, I wanted to be the first person to know about it and to help resolve it. I was also open to discussing more personal topics when an associate or manager wanted to talk about something. I think building trust and leading a team is knowing work is work, but we are all people living our lives. It’s important to know the whole person, not just the work they do, if their life is something they choose to share.
Diversity within a team can be a powerful asset. However, bringing together individuals with varied perspectives, skills, and experiences requires effective leadership that values and promotes inclusivity. Leaders must actively encourage the expression of diverse ideas, ensuring that every team member feels heard and valued.
Team-building activities are instrumental in breaking down barriers and fostering stronger connections among team members. These activities can range from icebreakers and trust-building exercises to more elaborate off-site retreats. The goal is to create an environment where team members can get to know each other on a personal level and foster a sense of camaraderie that transcends professional duties.
Communicating for Alignment
Kori Simonson, BS, CTS
In times of conflict, effective leadership is crucial to maintaining team cohesion. Rather than avoiding or suppressing conflicts, leaders who address them head-on facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution. Conflict resolution skills, such as active listening and mediation, are essential tools for leaders to navigate and resolve disputes within the team.
Adaptability is a hallmark of effective leadership in today's dynamic work environment. Working in the technology field, it was critical to embrace new ideas and test new technologies and solutions for live events. This helped to foster a culture of continuous learning in addition to formal quarterly and yearly goals for required continued learning hours.
Kori Simonson, BS, CTS
Ultimately, successful team building and leadership are interdependent. A well-led team is more likely to engage in effective team-building activities - and a cohesive team enhances the effectiveness of its leadership. By prioritizing trust, communication, diversity, and adaptability, leaders can create an environment where teams thrive by achieving not only individual success but also collective excellence.
written by
Kori Simonson
Kori is the interim organizational development specialist specializing in project management, logistics, and operations. She has been a director for over fifteen years in the hospitality and live event industry and is an active volunteer with organizations that strive to build stronger communities. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys playing music in the band with her husband, teaching her toddler piano, and taking long walks with the family dog, as well as soccer, skiing, yoga, running, guitar, piano, and making delicious diners for her family. Kori has her Bachelors in Communications with a concentration in music and business.
EDITED BY DR. RICHARD VAN ACKER
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