Finding Your Voice in the Team: A Review of Chris Whetzel's "True Teamwork"
Our friend Chris Whetzel recently shared some insightful thoughts on teamwork in his LinkedIn article, "True Teamwork: Balancing Authenticity and Collaboration Without Losing Yourself." It really got us thinking, and we wanted to share some of our reflections on his piece.
Chris starts with a compelling anecdote about "DK," a client who, in the pursuit of team harmony, found himself compromising his own decisiveness and ultimately feeling frustrated. This resonated deeply. How many of us have been in situations where we felt pressured to conform, even when we had valuable dissenting opinions?
Chris rightly points out that true collaboration isn't about everyone agreeing all the time. In fact, it's quite the opposite. He emphasizes that "if the goal of a team is to bring together a diverse set of skills and perspectives, then true collaboration requires embracing—not erasing—differences." This isn't just feel-good rhetoric; it's backed by research! Chris cites studies (including Harvard Business Review) showing that diverse teams are more innovative and better at problem-solving.
One of the key takeaways for us was the emphasis on individual strengths. Chris highlights Gallup's research on strengths-based leadership, reminding us that when people use their natural talents, engagement and productivity skyrocket. A team of clones isn't nearly as effective as a team where each member shines in their own way.
So, how do we put this into practice? Chris offers some practical advice, including:
- Owning Your Strengths: Know what you're good at and use it!
- Encouraging Diverse Contributions: Create a space where others feel safe to do the same.
- Challenging Groupthink: Healthy debate is essential for good decision-making.
He also touches on the importance of psychological safety, structuring for strengths, and leaders modeling authenticity. These are all crucial ingredients for building a team where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Chris concludes with a powerful message: being a team player isn't about blending in; it's about bringing your whole self to the table. We couldn't agree more. True teamwork is about individuals coming together with their unique strengths to create something bigger than themselves.
If you or your team find it challenging to showcase individual strengths while fostering collaboration, we highly recommend checking out Chris's article on LinkedIn. It's a thought-provoking read that offers practical advice for building stronger, more effective teams.
You can find the original article here:
Chris also offers coaching services, and you can reach him at chris@coaching2tnl.org. Thanks for the inspiration, Chris!
