Why We Often Overlook Team Members: In Celebration of the Team Member

After doing a quick Google search on the term leadership, I (Shelly) got the following results:

• What are the 3 Ps of Leadership?
• The Four Principles of Great Leaders
• The 12 Essential Qualities of an Effective Leader

The list of results went on and on for pages and pages. Each of the suggested results included the name and face of someone who exemplifies the leadership principles being marketed. All the Google results pointed to leaders as people who motivate and inspire others to influence groups toward success. In both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, there are many ways to achieve success, and that’s when the latest and greatest motivational speaker arrives on the scene to give us their acronym or catchphrase to help create leaders who set tones and create cultures that help others reach their potential. Later, if you stick with the program, voila! You and your team meet your goals.

But what about the team? What about the people being led? What happens when the leader is so important that hundreds of books, conferences, Chamber of Commerce events, and so on are dedicated to them as individuals? Isn’t there a group of people behind the individual leading? Isn’t there a team that is enacting the leader’s vision? When we focus on the latest and greatest motivational speaker or business leader, team member contributions are undervalued and unrecognized. Those working behind the scenes in the day-to-day operations and projects that contribute to the success of an organization are seemingly overlooked and ignored.

Due to their public roles, decision-making responsibilities, and presentations, leaders are often the face of an organization. In contrast, the less visible but equally important work of team members who contribute significantly to day-to-day operations and project success remains unseen. Without the team members who tirelessly work behind the scenes, the leader’s vision wouldn’t reach the public.

The company Valve is a great example of a different business and leadership structure where the leader is not the face of the company. Valve is a renowned video game developer and digital distribution company famous for its flat organizational structure. Employees are encouraged to pursue projects they are passionate about, and team members often self-organize around different initiatives. The company’s culture of empowering employees and fostering innovation has led to significant successes, including the development of hit games like Half-Life, Portal, and Dota 2, as well as the success of the Steam platform. Despite its non-traditional leadership style, its success can be attributed to its team members’ passion and competence and the owners and business leaders empowering and celebrating all team members.

There is a misconception in business that leadership roles impact organizations more than team members. In her book Unsubscribe, Jocelyn Glei discusses creating work environments that foster creativity and productivity, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics and effective communication and not obsessing over the email inbox. The work she is currently doing focuses not on productivity but on healing from our obsession with overdoing and on finding new heart-centered ways of living, working, and being. She argues that a healthy team environment promotes better communication, higher morale, effective conflict resolution, and overall well-being, all contributing to increased productivity. A supportive and inclusive team environment encourages the sharing of diverse perspectives, which can lead to more creative and innovative solutions.

A good leader who empowers their team by stepping back and allowing them to shine is important and often underappreciated. Business leaders who empower team members step out of the limelight and trust the team’s skills and judgment, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions confidently. They encourage team members to take initiative and use their expertise without micromanagement. In that way, the focus is on removing barriers and providing the necessary support for the team to achieve its goals. The leadership acts as mentors rather than directors, guiding team members in their professional growth and development. They offer constructive feedback and celebrate successes, helping team members grow from their experiences.

Another notable example of a successful flat leadership organization is W. L. Gore & Associates. This company, best known for its Gore-Tex brand, has been recognized for its innovative and unique organizational structure. Gore & Associates operates with a lattice organizational structure rather than a traditional hierarchy. This means there are no formal titles or rigid hierarchies; employees can collaborate and contribute across the organization. This structure has contributed to greater employee satisfaction, innovation, and agility. Employees are empowered to experiment and pursue new ideas without bureaucratic delays.

Celebrating team members in a business is crucial for boosting morale, recognizing achievements, and fostering a positive work environment. Giving public recognition like awards, shout-outs in meetings, and company communication goes a long way towards leadership sharing the focus and public attention. For us at 2 Fish Co., this means recognizing those who help others learn or succeed, highlighting team members who go out of their way to share knowledge or mentor others, and ensuring that their efforts are celebrated just as much as traditional project achievements. By consistently implementing these practices, organizations and businesses like 2 Fish Co. can cultivate a culture where team contributions are prioritized, creating a more inclusive and motivated environment.

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