There’s no 'i' in team....or leader.
As a leader, it's only natural to seek out the best person to do the job; building up teams of individuals all focussed on a specific function, based on their specific area of expertise and experience. Relying on them, and sometimes them alone, to decide what is right, what the next step is, to deliver perfection.
But true collaboration goes beyond just bringing together the best minds. It’s recognising that everyone has something to offer - it's about creating an environment of psychological safety, trust, and inclusion where everyone's ideas and contributions are valued and respected.
As a leader, it's important to model the behaviours that you expect from your team. This includes being open, honest, and transparent, and showing vulnerability when appropriate. Mistakes happen. Yours included.
It’s providing your team with the resources they need to succeed, including training, support, and access to information. No barriers. No ‘them and us’ mentality.
Recognition and reward should be commonplace but constructive feedback encouraged and welcomed. An appreciation for reflection on the positives as well as the negatives.
And most importantly a reminder that, as a leader, you should foster collaboration itself: encourage your team to work together and collaborate on projects, and providing opportunities for team building activities. Guide them along, provide a helping hand.
Hypha is the tool that allows teams to come together and collaborate in a powerful way. Lead the way.