A house divided against itself cannot stand. – Abraham Lincoln
In leadership circles we hear a lot about teamwork and team building, but not as much about team unity. Unity of your team does not mean checking your individuality at the door and not having differing views and opinions. Team unity simply means that once all the views have been aired, differences expressed, and a consensus reached, then it’s time to move forward with a united front. Teams need diversity of thought, creative minds, and fresh eyes taking a look at things from every angle. Promoting team unity begins when the leader acknowledges and values everyone’s input. Unity breaks down when voices are squelched. Build unity by building relationships. Never underestimate the value that each person brings to the table.
Reader Comments
Reblogged this on lizstincelli and commented:
What a great post to remind us how important it is to include and embrace individuals with varied and sometimes opposing points of view, Doug. When we have team unity we are able to give serious consideration to a variety of ideas and concerns while developing a plan of action. Once a plan is developed the entire team stands behind it and joins together in working towards its successful completion.
Really great post it addresses allot of important details and leadership as well as how significant unity is.
Reblogged this on ogbenz1's Blog and commented:
As one we Stand tall, apart we fall…. unity lead to great Heights
Very few leaders truly realize how important unity is. The dynamics and the strength that comes from a team functioning as a unified body is unsurpassed. But I think we also need to be cognisant of the fact that unity starts within. We live in times where people grow up in broken homes [absent parents], broken communities with a survivalist culture culminating in broken individuals. And when these reach adulthood that brokenness mostly manifest among others as selfishness, insecurity, pretention, double-mindedness…
One can never be a true to the unity of a team without having discovered and made friends with oneself. An honest relationship with oneself will culminate in wholeness [unity within] which in turn will enhance the individual’s capacity to be a true member in any team.
In understanding this, it begs for us to ask the question, ‘Where does the role of a true leader start?’