We all know the best sports teams in the world have 2 essential elements that allow them to rise above the rest: they hold one another to the highest standards and they nurture deep connection and support. For the current-day Golden State Warriors NBA team, this philosophy exudes through their 4 core values: Joy, Mindfulness, Competition and Compassion.
Steve Kerr, head coach of the Warriors, believes this: “When you know that your teammates are for you and have your back, you can play with a sense of security and assurance that enables you to access your highest and best.”
But when it comes to teams at work, we tend to tolerate much less in terms of both care and feedback. Lots of reasons get in our way – our egos, our “too nice” cultures, fear of hurting others, uncertainty of our status, and defensiveness (just to name a few). But the highest performing teams have figured out how to replicate winning sports teams’ mentality.
How can you build a team culture of feedback and support? Brené Brown suggests making daring leadership the norm, in which we reward a culture of being learners and getting it right vs. being knowers and being right. Start within your own team and try these few simple steps to creating a culture of care and accountability:
- Be vulnerable with one another – openly share your own struggles, strengths and blind spots. Ask for feedback and help to improve yourself as a leader
- Be clear and kind – set commitments and expectations with one another about how to give and receive feedback
- Set some ground rules – such as we talk to people, not about people
- Skill up for hard conversations and make them the norm. Shying away from discussing hard things only makes those issues seem hairier. Tackle things right away and people will appreciate you for your honesty.
- Be willing to be wrong. Your perspective is just one of many.
Creating a culture of feedback and support takes courage. It’s also contagious and will become an essential factor in your team’s success if you lean into it.
Action: What is one thing you can do to impact your team’s ability to tackle issues directly with love, feedback and support? Check out Brené Brown’s guidance on giving and receiving feedback.