How to Build a Dream Team
In 2019, I founded a non-profit organization called Women of Purpose. This was a vision I had based on a need I see in our culture. I was up for the challenge, but I knew this could not be accomplished by one person. And guess what, it was never meant to be! I knew I had to have a team of driven individuals to accomplish this in our communities. And I’m proud to say that I have a Dream Team. Each Women of Purpose Board Member brings a diverse skillset and talent like no other. Their drive to serve and see women Discover, Develop, and Activate their purpose is amazing.
As leaders, we may believe we are solely responsible for the vision and outcome of our organizations. We may unnecessarily take on a role that was meant to be shared amongst a team. It’s important to know that one individual does not have and know all the necessary pieces to complete the job. We have all heard teamwork makes the dream work. I truly believe any successful vision or venture will return greater results when the leader is surrounded by a strong team. Each person is gifted with specific abilities that, when fit into the right team, can help to create an impactful team that leads to substantial and lasting change.
So, what do you need to consider when building a strong team for your business, organization, non-profit, or church?
Intentionally surround yourself with people who don’t think like you:
Most people try to avoid conflict, and many leaders fall into this same trap by only inviting those onto their teams who think like them. There is value in having different opinions. It helps to identify obstacles, take calculated risks, and set clear deliverables to reach and exceed goals. Leadership is not about having everyone agree with you, it’s about making sure we are successful in accomplishing goals.
As a leader, an effective team allows you and your organization to see the BIG picture. You may say “But, La-Kita, what if they don’t agree with me?” Guess what? They won’t always agree, but that’s the beauty of it. As you carefully build your team, you will see that everyone brings a perspective that is essential for the growth of your organization. You don’t have to agree on everything but seeing things from different perspectives can save you time, energy, and resources.
But let’s be clear, disagreement does not mean disrespect! It’s important to have those on your team respect each other and follow your organization’s core values. I guarantee adding different perspectives on a team where people value each other will increase your team’s view and organization’s performance.
Add people to your team who have passion & skill:
There has been a lot of talk about whether to hire someone who is passionate about the job or someone who has the skillset. If you hire someone passionate, you may end up with someone who is all talk and no action. Conversely, if you hire someone based solely on their competency, you may end up with someone who does not have the drive to carry out the vision. So, I believe you need both. It may not always be a 50% balance but both are imperative.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people in my leadership tenure, and I will say there is nothing like having a passionate team player that puts in the work and effort.
Appreciate & value the perspective of others:
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a leader is to listen. Being gifted to talk, I’m never at a loss for words. But always talking without listening can be detrimental. I’ve learned to value feedback but also ensure that I apply what I’ve learned. Unfortunately, so many people receive feedback on how to improve and grow but rarely apply it or make changes.
I remember a valuable lesson learned early in my career. When delivering bad news, my habit was to wait till the end of the day. I later learned that one of my team members called it “dropping it like it’s hot.” This was a behavior I didn’t know was negatively impacting my team until one day when a team member expressed how it made the team feel unvalued, as though I was not interested in their feedback or available to address questions and concerns. Of course, that was not the message I wanted my team to hear but that was exactly what I had portrayed.
Wow, that could have been a blow to my ego, but I realized I had a choice on how to interpret and handle my team’s feedback. I knew I wanted to be a great leader, so I said “La-Kita, are you going to do something with this?” Of course, I answered YES and took the necessary steps to improve. No more “dropping it like it’s hot.” And I made sure I was available to answer questions and hear concerns from my team.
My definition of Leadership is “influencing and inspiring individuals & teams to create positive change and accomplish goals.”
As you are building your Dream Team:
Carefully add others to your team who will bring a different viewpoint while respecting each other.
Make sure your team is filled with passion and those who can get the job done.
Know that leadership is about constant learning.
During this season of thanks, remember that this year has been trying for so many different reasons, but your teams have continued to give 110% in the middle of challenging times. Employees and teams have put in extra hours and changed their lifestyle to ensure your organizational visions are still being accomplished. Let them know they are appreciated.
La-Kita
“Be a Leader Worth Following”