From grudge to gratitude

A CEO recently asked me what in-team behaviours distinguish the 4 team types – teams that fail, flounder, function, or flourish.

In response, I invited he listen to the conversations amongst the team members and consider:

• Teams that fail, bear grudges – team members engage in distrusting and disrespectful discord. They’re shrouded in a mood of resentment.

• Teams that flounder, grumble amongst themselves – as Michael Bungar Stainer would say, “they engage in BMW’s” - they blame, moan and whinge about each another.

• Teams that function, are generous – they willingly share, learn, and support one another.

• Teams that flourish, embody gratitude – they expressly value and respect one another’s differing views and deeply appreciate one another’s contribution and commitment.

The CEO thought about this and then turned to me and said, “I guess we’ve got some work to do”.

Think about your team and what do you observe about their conversations.