Cultivate Community: With Teams – Turning Groups into Greatness

In the hustle and bustle of healthcare, we talk a lot about teamwork. It’s on our posters, in our mission statements, and plastered across PowerPoint slides at every staff meeting. But here’s the deal: saying “teamwork makes the dream work” doesn’t actually make it happen. Teams don’t magically gel just because we’ve declared them to be “teams.” True community with teams takes more than a catchy slogan—it takes intention, effort, and a whole lot of care. Let’s turn our attention to the next stop on Wellness-Centered Leadership: Cultivate Community With Teams.

The Difference Between Groups and Teams

Let’s get one thing straight: there’s a big difference between a group of people working together and a true team. A group is just that—a bunch of people who happen to be in the same place, doing their own thing. A team, on the other hand, is something special. A team is a cohesive unit where every person feels valued, connected, and committed to a shared purpose. A team isn’t just a group of individuals; it’s a community.

So, how do we cultivate this sense of community with teams? Hint: It’s not about organizing a trust fall exercise (though that could be entertaining). It’s about building connections, fostering trust, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive together.

CMO Sam’s Journey: From Group to Team

Remember CMO Sam? He’s been busy. After learning to “Care Always: For Yourself” and “Care Always About Others,” and then working to “Cultivate Community: With Individuals,” Sam knew he needed to take it to the next level. He realized that to create real, lasting change, he had to focus on cultivating community with teams.

Sam looked around and saw plenty of groups, but he knew they weren’t truly teams. He wanted to see more collaboration, more trust, and more of that magic that happens when people are working together at their best. So, he decided to get to work.

How Sam Cultivated Community With Teams

Here’s how Sam turned his collection of groups into real teams:

1. Establish a Shared Purpose:

• Define the “Why”: Sam knew that teams need a reason to exist beyond just “getting the job done.” So, he worked with each team to define their “why”—their shared purpose. Whether it was delivering exceptional patient care, improving patient outcomes, or creating a more supportive workplace, each team articulated a purpose that everyone could rally around.

• Link Purpose to Everyday Actions: Sam didn’t just stop at defining the purpose. He made sure the “why” was woven into everything the teams did. From morning huddles to department meetings, every discussion was linked back to the team’s purpose. This helped keep everyone focused and aligned, even when things got tough.

2. Create Rituals That Build Trust:

• Start with Trust-Building Exercises (the Non-Cringe Kind): Forget the awkward icebreakers. Sam implemented meaningful trust-building activities, like “What’s on Your Mind” sessions, where team members could speak openly about their challenges and concerns. These conversations were raw and real and helped build a foundation of trust and understanding.

• Regular Debriefs: After significant events or challenging days, Sam initiated debriefs where the team could talk openly about what went well, what didn’t, and what they could learn from the experience. These sessions created a culture where mistakes were seen as opportunities for growth, not reasons for blame.

3. Foster Collaboration and Communication:

• Encourage Cross-Functional Work: Sam pushed his teams to step out of their silos. He set up cross-functional projects, pairing clinicians with administrators, nurses with physicians, and even mixing departments that rarely interacted. These collaborations helped break down barriers, build mutual respect, and encourage creative problem-solving.

• Open Communication Channels: Sam introduced new tools and technologies to facilitate better communication across teams. From simple messaging apps to regular check-ins, he made sure there were plenty of ways for people to connect, share ideas, and ask questions.

4. Celebrate Team Wins:

• Highlight Team Achievements: Sam realized that his teams needed more than just pats on the back; they needed moments to celebrate their collective successes. He instituted monthly “Team Triumph” awards where teams were recognized not just for their outcomes, but for how they worked together to achieve them.

• Create Moments of Joy: Sam knew that work could be intense, so he made sure to sprinkle in moments of fun. Whether it was a quick game, a shared meal, or an impromptu celebration, these moments helped teams bond and remember that work doesn’t always have to be so…well, serious.

The Impact: A Culture of True Teamwork

Sam’s efforts to cultivate community with teams started paying off in spades. The environment began to shift from a collection of individual players to a unified, cohesive force. Here’s what happened:

• Higher Performance: With a clear purpose and strong connections, teams started performing at higher levels. They tackled challenges together, supported each other, and found creative solutions to problems.

• Increased Job Satisfaction: Team members felt more engaged and satisfied with their work. They appreciated being part of something bigger than themselves and knowing that their contributions mattered.

• Greater Resilience: When tough times hit—and they always do—Sam’s teams were ready. They supported each other, leaned in together, and weathered the storms as a unit. No one felt alone in the fight.

Why “Cultivate Community: With Teams” Matters

Here’s the truth: You can’t have a strong community without strong teams. And you can’t have strong teams without leaders who are willing to do the work of building them. It’s not about just throwing people together and hoping for the best. It’s about creating the conditions for teamwork to flourish. It’s about making sure every person feels like they’re a valuable part of something important.

When you cultivate community with teams, you’re not just improving performance; you’re creating a culture of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. And that’s the kind of culture that attracts great people, keeps them around, and makes them want to do their best work every day.

The Invitation: Build Your Teams with Intention

So here’s your invitation: Don’t just manage groups—cultivate teams. Invest in building trust, establishing a shared purpose, and celebrating the wins (both big and small). Be the leader who brings people together, not just to work, but to thrive.

Ready to turn your groups into greatness? Ready to lead with intention and heart? Because here’s the truth: Great leaders build great teams. And great teams change everything.

Join us at Care4th and learn how to build a culture of true teamwork. Contact us today to get started on your journey to Wellness-Centered Leadership.