Creating a top-of-the league team
What do top-performing sports teams and high-functioning workplace teams have in common? According to Lee Thornett, Programme Manager at Aleido, quite a lot.
Focusing on leadership
Starting out as a trainee technical illustrator in 1998, I progressed through my career in aftermarket information, developing leadership skills in various project and team leader roles. A decade ago, I was promoted to Team Manager, where I applied what I'd learned and built on my skillset.
When going from various roles within aftermarket information at Aleido to become a team manager, my mindset shifted - from seeing management as a task-focused role, to understanding the importance of leading and motivating others.
I now manage the UK Technical solutions team – a talented group of 20 illustrators, animators, and digital developers.
I see the group of people that I lead as a top-of-the-league sports team.
Building mutual trust
I often see workplaces described as a ‘family’. Not for me… There is no drunk uncle along for the ride in our team! I see the group of people that I lead as a top-of-the-league sports team. Everyone has an important role to play, everyone is here because they have earned their place. The team works effectively, efficiently and is always improving, learning from, and motivating one another.
I have complete confidence in every member’s capacity - and I'm also convinced that my team knows they can count on me for support and guidance. This mutual trust is essential for any successful team. By valuing different perspectives and removing any ‘blame culture’, everyone in the team will feel respected. It turns our differences into advantages. I use mistakes as teaching points when things don’t go to plan, stay calm and take action – we are all working towards the same goal after all.
Giving employees the freedom to thrive
The way to empower individuals is to give them autonomy and freedom from demotivating micromanagement. This boosts their morale and increases their engagement with the team and wider organisation. In turn it improves productivity and crucially fosters a culture where innovation can thrive because employees are comfortable sharing ideas.
In today's hybrid work environment, two-way communication is key to keeping everyone engaged and connected to the wider organisation. We have daily scrum-style meetings to foster collaboration and alignment, as well as fortnightly team meetings to share business news and promote transparency. These sessions encourage participation, questions, and open discussion.
Understanding individuals’ strengths and weaknesses is a huge advantage to building a top performing unit. Not everyone in a football team will be the best goalkeeper, and not everyone in the technical solutions team will be the best person to lead a specific project, for example. You see where my sports team analogy comes in again!
Three keys to become a top-performing team
In summary, my approach to building a top-performing team involves three key strategies:
- Acting quickly and calmly on issues as they arise
- Empowering employees with autonomy and trust
- Encouraging open communication and collaboration
This approach has proven to be the perfect formula for achieving our business goals, hitting targets, retaining good people, and consistently achieving a high eNPS score.
FACTS
Title: Programme Manager – Technical Solutions
Education: Design & Technology - Higher Education
Worked at Aleido since: 1998
What kind of possibilitarian are you: The kind who believes successful teamwork leads to better results and faster innovation!
About Aleido Voices
A series of articles for everyone wondering what it’s like to work at Aleido. With Aleido Voices our employees get to highlight certain exciting aspects of their jobs.
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