Leadership is group work not solo act. It thrives when leaders tap into the collective potential of a group, and not just brilliance of the individuals. A leader’s effectiveness is enhanced when they embrace the dynamics of the whole team.
Luke’s turning point
Luke managed five distinct teams. He connected well with each manager through regular one-on-one meetings. These conversations were empowering, but something was missing. Engagement scores were low. His teams worked in silos. A sudden escalation exposed fault lines, forcing Luke to rethink his approach. That came as a wake-up call.
His boss offered coaching, and one insight stood out: Luke rarely used staff meetings. He dismissed them as a waste of time. But after observing his boss run one, Luke realized their power. Staff meetings allowed leaders to
- Share expectations, build culture, and set standards collectively
- Break silos and spark collaboration
- Sense the group’s overall pulse and dynamics
Luke revived his staff meetings with a new purpose: focus on what the group could achieve together. He still held his one-on-one conversations, but now he also engaged the collective. With coaching, he overcame his hesitation about leading groups. The results were clear—greater engagement, stronger collaboration, and a more cohesive team.
One-on-one conversations build trust. Group conversations build synergy. Leadership is group work. Leading groups is complex. But it enables leadership at scale. Teams discover connections and shared energy when they come together.
For your reflection
- What actions would you take differently to unlock your group’s collective potential?
- What possibilities emerge when your entire team works as one unit instead of separate silos?
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie