Teri Black’s Post

Let's say your team has been working on a special project. You had hard deadlines, and the effort put extraordinary demands on certain team members. But they did it, and you got through it for a successful outcome. So now what? Do you just move on to the next project, or do you take the opportunity to spotlight team members who stand out? I would say the latter! We can incorporate short segments for recognition into meetings where we spotlight and appreciate people by highlighting their hard work and dedication in general but also calling out specific instances of going above and beyond. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it should be meaningful. Consider these benefits: ➡️ This type of recognition will make your team feel valued and appreciated, and it may very well motivate them to work even harder. ➡️ It will also boost your team's confidence and job satisfaction. ➡️ You will reinforce the cultural values of accountability, rewarding work and fun. If you're like me, you want to make sure your team feels seen, valued, and appreciated but your mind is already racing to the next thing. So, next time you're finishing up a major project, consider taking a few moments to recognize the people who really stood out and the overall team accomplishment. You'll likely find that taking time to celebrate is just as important (and healthy) for you as much as it is for your team. 😉

"What specific thing makes you love working in this team?" At yesterday's off-site, we all answered this question, triggering insightful discussion. I realized my answer is the same it has been throughout my career—it's always been about the team and three core attributes that define it, all of which are also reflected in our company's values: 1️⃣ We deliver: I thrive working with ambitious people who are determined to deliver high quality results (and more) to customers. 2️⃣ We listen: I'm all about continuous learning and extreme ownership. I love colleagues who constantly look for ways to improve, creating an environment for personal and collective growth. 3️⃣ We elevate each other: Learning is especially effective and motivating when it's a team effort. By sharing knowledge, feedback, and ideas, we prevent ourselves from getting stuck in silos and push each other to greater heights. I'm grateful to be surrounded by a team that lives these values every day. 💚 What things do you especially appreciate in your team?

I’m heading home and reflecting on an amazing week. After spending valuable time with the team, I’m walking away with these key reminders: 🤝Collaboration is impactful - When we work together, the results speak for themselves. Team effort drives innovation and growth. 🎓Continuous development is critical – Staying curious and open to new ideas is what keeps us moving forward. 🌱Learning from others helps us all grow – Sharing insights and experiences makes us stronger and more effective as a team. 🎯Being clear on strategy and focus sets us up for success – When everyone understands the direction, we can execute with purpose and intention. 👏We’re ready – The energy, focus, and commitment within the team shows we’re set for exciting things ahead. Proud to be a part of this team!

I became a VP when I was 42. And I wholeheartedly owe that to the teams I worked with. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most: → Dedicated → Innovative → Inspiring professionals I’ve always been able rely on the team to step up and support me with: → Late-night brainstorming sessions → Overcoming challenges → Working non-stop during the weekend Every step of our journey has been a testament to the power of teamwork. Teamwork doesn’t just happen. Here’s how I did it: 1.) Fostering Open Communication: → Encouraging an environment where everyone felt heard and valued. ↳ This not only brought diverse perspectives but also built trust within the team. 2.) Empowering Team Members: → Providing opportunities for professional growth. ↳ This boosted morale and fostered a sense of responsibility. 3.) Celebrating Wins Together: → Recognising and celebrating both big and small achievements. ↳ Acknowledging hard work and dedication kept the team motivated and united. 4.) Leading by Example: → Demonstrating commitment and passion in my own work. ↳ Set a standard and inspired the team to strive for excellence. 5.) Creating a Supportive Culture: → Promoting a culture of support and collaboration rather than competition. ↳ Cultivating a safe space for innovation and risk-taking. Everything I achieved was done with the team 100% beside me. p.s What kind of team are you working in?

How Do You Celebrate Progress with Your Team? Projects are rarely completed by one person alone; it's the collective effort of a dedicated team that makes success possible. Throughout my career, I’ve learned the importance of celebrating not just the final victory, but every milestone along the way. Whether it’s a simple “thank you” during a meeting, a team lunch, or a shoutout on a company platform, recognizing individual contributions keeps everyone motivated and engaged. For example, after a particularly challenging project, when we finally delivered the project, we celebrated with a team outing, which reinforced the bond we had built over months of hard work. I believe that acknowledging the effort, not just the outcome, is key to keeping morale high and ensuring that team members feel valued. It’s these small gestures that remind everyone why they love what they do and make the journey as rewarding as the destination. How do you celebrate your team's success and keep the energy up during long projects? Let’s share some ideas with me!

Teams and Team Roles – Not So Obvious! A team spirit is constantly evolving - with each new member, team roles and dynamics shift. Often, personal evolution doesn’t align with team needs – or vice versa, the team doesn't align with individual needs. And some members may overstep into others' responsibilities, while others disengage, assuming their role isn’t valued. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀. Is this an issue of “experience”? Not at all. It’s about the connection between the role you naturally assume and the functional role imposed on you. By gaining clarity on your natural role and how it fits within the team, you become more flexible in taking on your second or third role when your primary natural role is already filled by a colleague. The more consciously you look at your role, the more fluid team life becomes. • What role do you naturally take in a team? • Are you truly a "team player"? If so, what kind of team player, and what role do you take on with ease? • Are you connected to your natural strengths, or have you ended up in a role by accident? • How many others in your team are assuming the same role? ⬇ 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀? Comment "team role" below, and we'll send you a free questionnaire (takes 8 minutes to complete). Afterward, you’ll receive your personalized team role description!

Exciting Update! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently stepped into the role of Team Leader for Content Generation and Quality Checks (CGQC) at Centre For Academic And Professional Support CAPS 🎉 (Yes, I know this post is a bit late—turns out even TLs need a little time management now and then!) Reflecting on my journey so far, here are four key lessons I’ve learned: 1. Time Management: Balancing multiple responsibilities has taught me to prioritize effectively and manage my time like a pro. 2. Importance of Work-Life Balance: Realising that downtime is essential has helped me stay refreshed and motivated, leading to better performance. 3. Communication: Clear, open dialogue is crucial for team success. It’s all about listening as much as speaking. 4. The Hunger to Bring More: Staying driven and constantly seeking ways to enhance our work keeps the team dynamic and innovative. Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this journey! Here’s to more learning and leading ahead!

It's a new week, and I understand how demanding tasks can be, especially when you have to lead a group of people to achieve a goal. I have provided some tips on how to make that easier for you going forward: 1. Do more than just assign tasks. As a team leader or manager with people reporting to you, learn to engage with your team members on a personal level. What that will do is show that you care about them and how they carry out their tasks, and their respect for you will grow. 2. Celebrate the little wins of your team members. I understand that it might seem insignificant to celebrate when there's still a bulk of work to be done. What you don't know is that when you appreciate the little wins, you are preparing the ground for more wins. 3. Be emotionally intelligent. Rather than react to every situation as expected, take a moment to breathe in and analyze every situation before responding or taking action. This will afford you the opportunity to understand why your team member acted the way they did and help you respond in the best way possible. I can go on and on to share tips on how I was able to get 20+ people to contribute their quota to the overall goal we were working on at the time. However, practice these tips I have shared and feel free to share how they worked for you. I will be glad to work with you on achieving higher employee satisfaction, increased motivation among your team, improved team dynamics, and enhanced loyalty and commitment. Learn more by clicking the link: https://lnkd.in/d4inCHYz

Being a team leader is both privilege and a responsibility, but also incredibly rewarding moments. You have the opportunity to guide and influence a group of people, to help shape their skills and watch as they reach their potential. It's about being a driving force while also keeping everyone aligned with a common goal. It's never just about instructing; it's about inspiring and fostering teamwork. Yes, there are tough days, but the successes, both big and small, make it all worth it.– no two days are the same. This constant flux keeps me on my toes, ensuring I'm always learning and growing. It definitely stretches my problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability. But this is what makes the role so rewarding: the dynamic nature that tests me and pushes my team forward. Every challenge is a chance to excel and every success, a shared victory. It is crucial for me to maintain self-awareness regarding my actions and decisions within the team. Recognising the impact my behaviour can have is key to fostering a cohesive and effective working environment. It’s about understanding how my interaction can be perceived and making sure that we're communicating clearly to avoid any misunderstandings or miscalculations. By being mindful of my own behaviour, I can set a positive example and build a strong, trust-filled team dynamic. This will help my growth towards the next position.

Sharing a few questions and themes for energising and open team discussions and building connection and trust together: 👋Why and what are we most looking forward to working towards and achieving this week/month/ quarter etc 🏹What skills/experiences or lessons learned or hidden talents can we share that may be helpful to each other? ✳️What’s the experience we want to be having for and with our teams and stakeholders? 🐸Why are we ok with letting x happen or letting y continue as our norm? How and why is it really serving everyone + and -? What are we choosing? 👂What aren’t we talking about that we really should be? 💥What’s the atmosphere and how does it feel day to day to be in this business/team? + and - 👏What’s getting better and better? How are our team / service improvements progressing and making a positive impact? What’s not working as we intended and what do we learn without blame? 🕰️How are we prioritising making time for each other, getting to know each other and our customers/stakeholders? How do we like to celebrate progress and challenges worked through 🙌 in ways that suit and resonate with the business and teams? With thought and passion. Rachel