THE INTENTIONAL LEADER

WITH ANNIE FRISOLI, CFEE

STOP SILOING: EMBRACING THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE SUCCESS

In the world of leadership, rewarding individual success has been a go-to approach for, well, decades. And while acknowledging individual achievements is important, it’s vital to recognize the drawbacks of siloing teams solely through this lens. By only focusing on individual accomplishments, leaders tend to overlook the immense potential and benefits of recognizing and celebrating team success. Read on to learn more about the disadvantages of over-siloed teams and the transformative power of recognizing and valuing collective achievements.

Let’s take a closer look at the limitations of siloing teams:

When teams are overly compartmentalized and individual success becomes the sole focus, there are a few issues that can hinder team success. Here are some of the drawbacks I notice the most:

• Reduced Collaboration & Communication
  By placing too much emphasis on individual achievements, you might notice that team members become less inclined to collaborate or share knowledge with each other. Siloed teams often lack effective communication channels, hindering the flow of ideas and expertise across departments. This silo mentality stifles innovation and limits the potential for breakthroughs across teams.

• Lack of Synergy & Team Cohesion
  In siloed environments, team members primarily focus on their individual goals, leading to scattered connections and a fragmented sense of purpose. This isolation prevents the formation of strong, collaborative bonds between team members and inhibits the collective synergy that arises when individuals work together towards a shared objective. Without a sense of unity, teams struggle to reach their full potential. Teamwork makes the dream work, don’t forget that!

• Inefficient Resource Allocation
  Siloed teams often duplicate efforts and resources, as each individual or department operates independently without a cohesive understanding of the bigger picture. Not only does this waste your team’s valuable time, but it also wastes energy and resources across the board. By recognizing and valuing team success, you can allocate resources in a way that drives efficiency.

How to embrace team success:

Recognizing and celebrating team success brings benefits that can propel your organization and teams forward. Here are a few of my favorite key advantages:

• Foster Collaboration & Innovation
  By shifting the focus toward team success, leaders promote a collaborative environment where individuals come together to leverage their diverse skills and perspectives. Recognizing the achievements of the team as a whole cultivates a culture of collaboration, fosters innovation, and enables the development of new ideas and solutions.

• Enhance Engagement & Motivation
  When team success is acknowledged and celebrated, it instills a sense of pride in team members. Doing so boosts morale, fosters a positive work environment, and strengthens employee engagement and motivation. The result? Higher productivity and better overall performance.

• Optimize Resource Utilization
  Recognizing team success allows leaders to gain a holistic understanding of how resources are utilized across departments. In turn, adjustments can be made to promote the efficient allocation of resources and prevent duplication of efforts. Your organization can streamline processes, avoid unnecessary redundancies, and allocate resources where needed.

If your goal is to improve performance across collaborative efforts while inspiring new ideas and cutting down on clutter in the workplace, it might be time to shift your focus from individuals to teams!

Annie Frisoli is Founder & CEO of Creating Community, LLC. She hosts leadership workshops for individuals and organizations, staff retreats to build cohesive teams, and strategic planning sessions for teams and board members. She is a popular speaker and adds energy to any space she arrives. Annie (CFEE), is also a faculty member at the IFEA/NRPA Event Management School and serves on the IFEA Foundation Board. For more information: www.anniefrisoli.com