In the midst of all the headlines about the push to bring people back to the office, there’s a persistent myth: that simply being in the same space - catching up around the coffee machine - will somehow create stronger, more connected teams. But it’s not proximity or casual conversations that build a brilliant team. True team-building requires leadership and intentionality.
Arguing over whether to bring people back to the office or allow hybrid working is the wrong debate. If you want to boost productivity, foster greater commitment or improve well-being, pivot your leadership development agenda and focus your effort on ensuring your leaders understand why building a brilliant team is the most important thing they can do.
Presence alone does not guarantee team success. To build cohesive, purpose-driven teams, leaders need the tools and insights to create authentic connections, align teams behind a clear purpose and build resilience for long-term success.
So, what’s the best way forward? Focus on building a truly connected team by taking intentional steps:
1. Ensure your leaders understand the difference between ‘a group of individuals who all report to one boss’, and a team.
2. The best teams get people to be their best – they spot the talents in each other and encourage, demand, support and cajole them to become the leader within.
3. Teams need 3 things: shared purpose, belief in each other, and differences between people that are treasured not trashed.
4. Replace “coffee machine chats” with meaningful team discussions: Casual conversations don’t guarantee effectiveness - structured reflection does.
Need support with building brilliant teams? Call us - this is what we do.
#TeamBuilding #LeadershipDevelopment #HybridWork #ConnectedTeams #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #HighPerformingTeams #PurposeDrivenLeadership #IntentionalLeadership
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