With A Straight Bat

Leadership

…………..

THE “MY WAY“

Two things about me—My “gut” often has the steering wheel of my life, and “building high-octane squads” has been a timeless preoccupation. Call it serendipity, or maybe just a spot of good fortune, I’ve picked teammates who not only earned their place for talent but also made up dream teams… I mean, for the most part of my career.

The good ol’ character!

So, what’s the secret sauce to these dazzling dreamboats, you might ask? It’s “character” for me. Very early in my professional life, I made it the shimmering North Star to guide my quirky little compass, and boy, has it served me well! In fact, in those fleeting 30-minute slots set up by HR, I don’t remember ever having “interviewed-interviewed” any of these fine specimens. Instead, we engaged in a conversation, like two chums—about life outside work and their preferences. And in these convivial chinwags, I found those motivated characters who were easy to inspire over skilled people who need motivation.

P.S. Oh, and like, here’s a little secret. If I ever found myself in, like, the Land of Indecision, I’d hit my peeps with a quirky lil’ task. I’d be all like, “How ’bout writing your own obituary?” Sounds a wee bit morbid, I know, but trust me on this one. It’s like, this super-amazing way to peek into them and see what’s cookin’. You get to find out their dreams, hopes, and all that jazz—the stuff they want the world to remember them for. And guess what? It’s the perfect way to make sure your squad’s on the same wavelength, heading towards that super-awesome collab.

Mindset, Identity, Context – We’re all in it together!

Once my quirky crew of collaborators was ready—beginning with a team of three, at the very least—I would leap into action, orchestrating a shared mindset, a common identity, and a supportive context—the Eden of collaboration and camaraderie as I see it to be.

Pun a day keeps the grumpies away!

But wait! To complete the setting, I would always introduce and insist on a generous dusting of humor, compliment, and light-hearted tease. For it is in these jovial moments that conflicts dissolve like a dollop of butter melting on a warm toast; barriers crumble like a flaky croissant.

A jar of mixed jellybeans (much beyond appearances)

And, ah, yes, diversity! When these incredible people from all sorts of backgrounds and perspectives learn from each other, everyone on the team gets an upgrade, like, “stronger, better, smarter squad!” So, I would encourage that crazy mishmash of folks and watch the group create the most harmonious, outta-this-world, super-chill team. I would push for the flavor, and not limit my pick to just the color and shape of the jelly beans.

MY REWARD

Two powerful realizations…

• That finding fate is all your own creation. That if you’ve got the right people in the room with the notion of let’s do something amazing, then great things can happen.

• That what goes around, comes around – and sometimes, it comes back with a funky twist! So, as a team leader, you need to be thoughtful and deliberate.

… And a story—if I were ever to write one about the teams I’ve led.

Leaving you a little teaser, a sneak peek of sorts, with some highlights from that story thrown in for good measure.

Once upon a time, in a land of unstoppable go-getters, there thrived a mighty mini-squad of turbo-charged fireflies who dared to dream beyond the mundane. They were a curious bunch, each with their own quirks and peculiarities. But despite their differences, they all shared a common bond: a passion for teamwork and a love for fun. “Pfft, who cares what the rest of the world is up to?” they’d scoff, as they set out on a quest to bring forth the absolute BEST.

Bonkers for mad skills and expertise: They were totally smitten with raw talent and mad skills! They couldn’t care less about your fancy title or lofty rank. What really made their hearts skip a beat was your ability to lead like a boss and bring your A-game. Yup, they were all about reveling in the sheer awesomeness of what makes us who we are.

P.S. Oh, and here’s a fun li’l tidbit about these groovy peeps: when they’d blast off a mass email to the whole gang, they’d do it in differently. Forget the whole position, designations, and hierarchy mumbo jumbo! They’d just fill up that “To” field all nice and alphabetically, A to Z. It’s like they were saying, “Hey, we’re all in this together!”

Maxing out the rad factor: Surrender? Ha! They’d laugh in the face of difficulty and scoff at the word “impossible.” For them, “good enough” was a myth. Only the best would do! They would not go out there asking what everyone else is doing and, therefore, what are the best practices. Instead, they would say, “What’s the best it possibly can be?”

Detail-obsessed peeps: Their secret sauce? Attention to detail and lil’ things that make the big picture extra-spectacular. They would spot the teeniest, tiniest polka dot on an item, or notice that one funky-shaped cloud in the sky that looks like something. They would keep their peepers peeled, curiosity cranked up, and their appreciation for the small stuff on point.

Work-hard-play-hard: These curious problem-solvers, armed with a hearty work ethic, fearlessly ventured into new territories, becoming bona fide wizards in their fields. They delighted in taking on challenges, and they’d do it with a twinkle in their eyes and a spring in their step.

Mad skills to adapt and pivot: Clients would marvel at the sheer magnificence of their work, never knowing the blood, sweat, and tears poured into its creation. And oh, the adaptability of these crafty crusaders! They could pirouette through evolving situations and shifting briefs.

A kinship tighter than a chorus line of cuddling cacti: A sense of camaraderie bound these spirited teammates, each proud to contribute their special sauce to the mix, creating something greater than themselves. They’d chuckle with glee when former teammates would say, “Oh, we learned all the marketing magic at the School of You!”

A trifecta of trusty tightropes, iden-tea (part)ies, and confetti-dence: High-performing teams like these didn’t just happen by chance. First up, trust! The teamy-weenies trusted one another. They were down to dive into risk pools, fling ideas like confetti, and march toward that glistening goal. Next up, was identity! The high-vibin’ team had a rock-solid sense of their groupy groove. They knew who they are, what they jive for, and what their fab quest entails. It’s like they had gulped down a superpower smoothie, and now they could cha-cha through any obstacle course in unison. And finally, they brought on confidence! They felt like superheroes in their own right, knowing they were armed with the skills and snuggly support of the team to come out on top.

The LOLs feast: When the heat was on, and emotions were bubblin’, with a dash of fun-fetti, they lowered their spiky defenses. A spoonful of good humor and a dash of cheer swept in like a jester on a pogo stick to save the day!

AT THE END…

So, in this way, they demonstrated that when people blend their powers like strands of an epic braided cord, they unleash a mighty energy that can rock your socks off! They totally showed that a solid well-knot crew is the real deal. It’s like those puzzle pieces that perfectly mesh to create the most incredible image you’ve ever laid eyes on!

Photo by Mikael Blomkvist on https://www.pexels.com