Cultivating a Team Culture For Growth

A Leader's Habit to Focus on the Environment

July 31, 2023
Seedlings

Cultivation is often indirect. We are working to create an environment that allows, invites, and stimulates growth. It is our responsibility, as leaders, to focus on the environment and the culture of our team.

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My Leadership Experience

One year as my son and I planted jalapeños; we put them too close together. This limited how large they could grow and how much fruit they could sustain.

The same year my team was going from focusing on one campus to two campuses. It requires more significant leadership from some of the staff on my team. I was encouraged to see them growing into their new roles and responsibilities.

At the same time, I was partnering with a church to grow from one fellowship with students at three schools into three fellowships, each at their school. The goal was to do this in a way that allows it to further multiply into the different domains of each campus, eventually saturating the entire campus.

Space is needed for leadership to grow, and the environment will influence how we give space.

The main issue was leadership capacity. There weren’t enough leaders.

I needed students who would lead and multiply their leadership. What I needed to consider was what environment would best cultivate leaders to grow. I had many questions. Do they have the resources they need? Do they have direction? Understanding? Do they have space to lead? Have I given them enough time?

Space to lead

In both examples, space was a critical issue, which I would like to focus on in this post. Space is needed for leaders to grow.

Leaders tend to wait until a potential leader is fully ready before they begin letting them lead. However, we need to get out of the way, allowing the leader to grow into the space created. As I moved out of some of the leadership roles at one of our campuses, I let other staff grow into those roles.

Which is more important, the project or the developing leader?

As a leader, it's critical to evaluate if you are giving space for new leaders to rise. Does the culture of your team revolve around you and your decisions? Or does the team feel empowered to make decisions and even mistakes?

Environment

Consider if the environment you're cultivating leaders in possesses these characteristics:

  1. Allows
  2. Invites
  3. Stimulates

You want your life to have meaning and impact.

What if your everyday work and life not only felt natural and intuitive but also aligned with your priorities and positively impacted those around you?

An environment that allows

Is there enough space to allow others to lead? What commonly stands in the way of someone stepping into leadership? Usually, it’s the current leader.

If that’s the case, then I must ask, “Am I willing to get out of the way? Am I willing to let someone fail? Even fail with something important?” Answering this leads to a secondary question, “Which is more important, the project or the developing leader?” A leader will complete successful projects many times over, but a successful project doesn't necessarily multiply leadership.

What commonly stands in the way of someone stepping into leadership? Usually, it’s the current leader.

In 2019 I took a gap-mpnth to renew and refocus. My absence provided space for the leaders I was cultivating to take full ownership of their roles and responsibilities. Consider if there are opportunities in your context to step back and allow new leaders to become more established.

An environment that invites

Would others want your job? Are you leading in a way that others would have the desire or courage to do it? I’m not saying falsely make it look easy or glorious, but how often do you see a leader exhausted, stressed, and spent? Are you inspired to be like them? What about someone who can be joyful in uncertainty or failure? Does your leadership inspire others?

Inspiration is just the first step; you also have to invite people. Your invitation needs to be clear and compelling. Are they being called to something clear and specific? Do both you and they know what you’re challenging them to do? If asked about their responsibilities, would your answer and their answer be the same? I've seen a lack of clarity prevent many young leaders from having the courage to truly step out and lead. Don't let this happen to your team.

An environment that stimulates

When you initially plant or transplant a plant, you want to fertilize it well. If you want growth, the necessary resources need to be readily available. Do you know which resources your new leaders need?

Stimulation can come from many sources. It could be a tool to use or a guide to follow. It could be a person with experience whom someone could watch or seek counsel. I’ve even found biographies helpful in this way. Maybe it’s training to help prepare this new leader.

Something beneficial to me was to have a mentor available to process what I was thinking or experiencing. They didn’t have to have all the answers; being available was huge. Be creative and explore what resources could help those you’re inviting to leadership. Many of them may come from outside your team or your areas of expertise.

Creating the right environment is both an art and a science. We don’t grow in a vacuum. Our environment has a significant impact on our growth as leaders. We need to be intentional to allow enough space, invite others into that space, and provide what is necessary to grow.

Action Plan

Reflection Questions:

  1. Am I willing to give responsibilities (even important ones) away and allow others to own them?
  2. Is my role something others would want?
  3. Am I inviting them to own parts of it?
  4. Have I provided the needed resources to stimulate this new leader’s growth?

Not sure how to cultivate this kind of environment for growth? Explore the roles of a leader who cultivates leaders; they include providing, protecting, pruning, waiting, resting and restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Team Leadership

What is team leadership?

Team leadership is a management approach focused on leading and guiding a group of individuals working together towards a common goal. A team leader is responsible for providing direction, support, and guidance to the team members, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Team leadership involves setting clear goals and expectations for the team, communicating effectively, and building trust and relationships with team members. It also involves empowering team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team's success.

Some key characteristics of effective team leadership include:

  1. Communication: Team leaders communicate clearly and effectively with their team members, keeping them informed about goals, expectations, and progress.
  2. Vision and strategy: Effective team leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve and a strategy for how to get there, while also being flexible and adaptable when necessary.
  3. Empowerment: Good team leaders empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, while also providing support and guidance as needed.
  4. Trust-building: Team leaders build trust and strong relationships with their team members, creating a positive and productive work environment.
  5. Results-oriented: Finally, effective team leaders are results-oriented, focusing on achieving goals and driving performance while also valuing the well-being and development of their team members.

Overall, team leadership is a collaborative and empowering approach to management that values communication, trust-building, and results-driven performance.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different styles of team leadership?

There are several different styles of team leadership, including:

  1. Democratic leadership: In this style, the leader encourages open communication and participation from all team members in decision-making processes.
  2. Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making decisions and taking control over the team's direction, often with little input from team members.
  3. Transformational leadership: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential, often by setting a clear vision and communicating goals effectively.
  4. Servant leadership: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their team members, focusing on serving and empowering them to achieve their goals.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership: In this style, the leader provides minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently.
  6. Transactional leadership: This style involves setting clear goals and expectations for team members and providing rewards or discipline based on performance.
  7. Situational leadership: This approach involves adapting one's leadership style to fit the specific situation or needs of the team at any given time.

Overall, each style of team leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses, and effective leaders may use a combination of different styles depending on the situation and the needs of their team.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different skills required for team leadership?

There are several key skills required for effective team leadership, including:

  1. Clear: Team leaders must be to communicate effectively with their team members, setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback, and keeping everyone informed about progress and changes.
  2. Active listening: Leaders need to be able to listen actively to their team members, hear their concerns, ideas, and suggestions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
  3. Empathy: Good team leaders value empathy, recognizing and understanding the perspectives of their team members, and working to build trust and strong relationships
  4. Decision-making: Leaders must be able to make informed decisions based on available information and input from team members, while also being decisive when necessary.
  5. Problem-solving: Effective team leaders must be able to identify and solve problems that arise within the team, working collaboratively to find creative and effective solutions.
  6. Motivation and empowerment: Leaders must be able to motivate and empower their team members to take ownership of their work, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
  7. Delegation and management: Team leaders must be able to delegate tasks effectively, manage resources and timelines, and oversee the work of the team to ensure quality and efficiency.

Overall, effective team leadership requires a combination of interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and empower team members to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Learn more about leadership.

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How can servant leadership be beneficial in the workplace?

Servant leadership can be beneficial in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

  1. Improved employee engagement and job satisfaction: When employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by their leaders, they tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
  2. Increased collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize communication, collaboration, and trust-building, which can lead to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork.
  3. Higher levels of productivity and innovation: When leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their ideas, it can lead to higher levels of productivity and innovation.
  4. Reduced turnover and absenteeism: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs or call in sick, leading to reduced turnover and absenteeism rates.
  5. Improved organizational culture: Servant leadership can create a positive organizational culture that values growth, development, and well-being for all stakeholders, which can lead to improved morale and outcomes.

Overall, servant leadership can lead to a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How does servant leadership differ from other leadership styles?

Servant leadership differs from many other leadership styles in several key ways:

  1. Focus on serving others: Servant leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers over their own interests, while many other leadership styles focus more on achieving organizational goals.
  2. Empathy and listening skills: Servant leaders value empathy and active listening skills to better understand the needs and perspectives of their followers, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on asserting authority or making decisions without input from others.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork, seeking to empower and develop their followers to achieve their full potential, while other leadership styles may be more focused on competition or individual achievement.
  4. Humility and accountability: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders and taking responsibility for their decisions, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on personal ambition or avoiding blame.

Overall, servant leadership is characterized by a focus on serving others, prioritizing empathy and collaboration, and taking a humble and accountable approach to leadership. While other leadership styles may be effective in different contexts, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

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