Leading Teams to Success: A Blueprint for Building a Healthy Team Culture

Nine years ago, I joined a team that was in disarray as it transitioned to new leadership. They received the worst scores in the organization across multiple measurements. Projects were always behind, spending was significantly over budget, and even though they were a customer-focused team, they needed better service. But I love a challenge and have always been a fan of the underdog, so I jumped at the opportunity to take a pivotal role in helping rebuild this team's culture despite its losing reputation. It might not be typical to join a losing team willingly, but I signed up because helping others reach their full potential excites me. I wanted a front-row seat to the transformation.

By implementing six fundamental principles, my team went from the lowest to the highest-scoring team in the organization and stayed consistently near the top. A thriving team culture is vital for achieving long-term success. Here are the six principles we followed to achieve that dramatic transformation.

Principle 1: Listen More, Speak Less

Why is listening important? Effective communication is essential for the success of any team. Listening to your team's perspectives and concerns is necessary as a leader. It fosters a culture of open dialogue, leading to collaboration and innovation. To achieve this, start by modeling active listening, prioritizing understanding, and encouraging two-way communication.

Leadership isn't about finding quick fixes. It's about building relationships. Before making significant changes, take the time to listen, understand, and establish rapport. Even in challenging circumstances, respect earned through genuine listening can significantly impact the team. I have witnessed leaders handle difficult situations with compassion, leaving team members grateful for the support they received.

On the other hand, leaders who ignore their teams risk losing even the most dedicated members. A stellar organizational mission cannot compensate for the lack of genuine engagement. Pretending to listen or disregarding team input can result in talented individuals seeking opportunities elsewhere. Authentic leadership involves embracing challenges with empathy. Genuine listening is the key to building that connection.

Principle 2: Champion Risk-Taking

To achieve innovation, stepping out of your comfort zone is essential. Encouraging your team to take on challenges and actively seek out new ideas can make a significant difference. Encourage and celebrate taking risks. Create an environment where creativity and resilience can thrive. It's more than just executing tasks. Cultivate a mindset that embraces exploration. Breakthroughs come when teams venture into uncharted territories and confront challenges head-on.

I struggle with risk-taking. I prefer to plan every step meticulously and have contingency plans. But being part of organizations that valued risk-taking, led by supportive leaders who encouraged healthy risks, transformed my approach. Knowing I had a safety net allowed me to learn the art of taking calculated risks and bouncing back with resilience.

Leaders must apply the same principles. Encourage team members to take risks, provide support, and extend grace when things don't go as planned. A vital part of my growth was learning to model risk-taking. It's like a parent letting go as a child takes their first steps—a blend of guidance, encouragement, and trust.

Principle 3: Cultivate Ownership

To build a resilient team, you must foster ownership. Owning up to mistakes early is essential to creating a thriving team that views challenges as opportunities for growth. Team members who take responsibility for their actions build trust and encourage innovation even when things go wrong. Difficult times become opportunities for the most profound learning experiences.

Why cultivate ownership? When team members feel empowered to take responsibility and learn from their experiences, people don't fear mistakes. Instead, mistakes become stepping stones toward improvement. Trust becomes the foundation, and innovation is sure to follow. Difficulties become avenues for learning and progress.

I learned about ownership when I made a significant mistake and had to call my leader to own up to it. Despite my initial anxiety, my leader responded gracefully, offering guidance and trust. I explained what went wrong, how I planned to fix it, and the steps I would take next. The response was a mixture of silence and a simple "Thank you; I know you won't let it happen again." This experience taught me the value of owning mistakes early, the expectations around fixing them, and the art of failing forward.

Instilling a culture of ownership means offering trust and creating a space for team members to fail forward. While I strive to avoid mistakes, admitting failures with transparency and vulnerability is a strength. When trust is the foundation, the team becomes a healthy, resilient unit that acknowledges mistakes early and isn't afraid to learn and grow.

Principle 4: Be the Ultimate Encourager

Your role as the ultimate encourager is more than just a title; it's a philosophy. Your goal should be to guide your team towards their full potential and serve as their advocate. Create a nurturing environment where team members feel valued and know you have their back. Being the greatest encourager means advocating for your team even in meetings where they're absent, ensuring that each individual feels valued and celebrated.

Encouragement is the fuel that propels a team toward unprecedented success. A supportive environment where team members feel valued generates productivity, loyalty, and innovation. Advocating for your team in public and private spaces builds a foundation of trust and appreciation, echoing the sentiment that what is seen in public reflects what transpires behind closed doors.

The impact of encouragement is wider than public displays. It extends to what happens behind closed doors. Consistently modeling encouragement and praise communicates authenticity. When team members witness a leader championing their efforts openly, it solidifies a culture where everyone feels recognized and genuinely celebrated.

Observing leaders who excel at this and others who miss the mark, I've come to appreciate the significance of encouragement. I remember one team member getting so frustrated with their leader because they seldom received praise or positive feedback. Specific and timely feedback, tailored to individual preferences, creates an environment where team members thrive and feel genuinely appreciated.

To fully appreciate your team, take the time to understand how each member best receives encouragement. Whether it's a handwritten note, specific praise in a public setting, or a thoughtful gesture like a lunch outing, being intentional in your encouragement is key. Tailoring your approach to what is most meaningful to each team member ensures that your efforts resonate on a personal level.

Principle 5: Model Integrity

To become an exceptional leader, modeling integrity should be a cornerstone rather than just a guideline. Upholding the highest standards of honesty and transparency is the foundation of building trust and loyalty within a team. As a leader, you should embody the principles that you want your team to uphold, even when no one is watching.

Why is it important to model integrity? It's the foundation of trust, essential for building a healthy team. Maintaining honesty and transparency establishes a culture that values authenticity. When leaders consistently model integrity, they set ethical standards and create an environment where trust becomes the glue that holds the team together. To be a leader others want to follow requires a steadfast commitment to honesty and transparency. This commitment builds a professional and personal foundation, building trust and loyalty within the team.

Alan Simpson's timeless quote beautifully captures the essence of integrity: "If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." It emphasizes the pivotal role of integrity in the leadership journey, where every decision and action reflects ethical values. True leaders distinguish themselves by modeling integrity, even in challenging situations. Upholding principles speaks volumes about a leader's character, even when painful. During difficult moments, the commitment to integrity shines brightest, leaving an indelible mark on the team's culture.

Principle 6: Infuse Fun

Enjoy the journey. Cultivate a culture where laughter and fun are plentiful. Shared moments of joy create friendships, shared memories, and a more resilient and remarkably creative team. When you love the team you're with, work becomes a joyous adventure.

Why Infuse Fun? Laughter and fun are the secret ingredients that can turn a workplace into a community. Cultivating an environment where laughter and fun are welcomed and actively encouraged can foster a spirit of camaraderie among team members. A team that laughs together doesn't just work together; they build friendships that often go beyond their day jobs.

Elevating the fun level in the office involves creating moments. Pausing the workday for dad jokes, engaging in a Nerf gunfight, initiating a game, or sharing a fun snack can serve as catalysts for a productive and genuinely healthy team. The shift toward a culture where everyone contributes to these moments is a true sign of success.

Success in shifting team culture is evident when leaders are not always orchestrating these moments but when they organically happen, are celebrated, and are led by various team members. Witnessing this transformation marks a thriving workplace. One of my favorite memories of shaping team culture is when a team member approached me with the idea of planning a game time over lunch. It was the beginning of a new season for an up-and-coming thriving team. Infusing fun means every day is an opportunity for shared laughter and camaraderie.

A Journey of Continuous Transformation

Building a thriving team culture requires an investment of time, effort, and intentionality. As leaders, it's our responsibility to create the environment we desire for our teams. Applying the six principles outlined above can transform your team from average to extraordinary. Building a healthy team takes time, patience, and consistent effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. Are you ready to take the first step? Start today and see the transformation unfold before your eyes.