How to Build a Team of Self-Reliant Superstars

It’s likely that all of us are in the very same boat when it comes to building a team of self-reliant superstars: But how do you go about getting one? This article about team building might surprise you!

You’ve probably already seen these kinds of employees in action within your own organization–– they’re efficient, proactive, and easy to work with. They’re no stranger to taking initiative and owning their part, especially due to their solution-focused mindset. 

It’s important to remember that while many employees can bring these qualities to their role from the very start, they can also be encouraged and fostered among teams with the help of workplace leadership. 

Where to start with team building: delegation

As managers, a particularly good place to begin this work is through reconsideration of the ways we’re already delegating in the office. If the word “delegation” gives you some pause, don’t fret–– effective delegation is not supposed to be easy! In fact, it can pose challenges to managers and employees alike. 

As we’ve previously discussed in our article “4 Best Practices for Delegation,” building confidence in our team often comes down to trust: “Effective delegation is dependent on clear expectations, as well as the collective belief that the new task owner can meet these expectations to the best of their ability.”

Remember, micromanaging is unlikely to foster any growth in the team you’ve built. Rather, it’s likely that you will not witness self-reliant superstars in action on your team if you haven’t provided them the right environment for their success.

Are you a new manager? If so, keep in mind that management itself is a skill. We wrote this article on micromanagement and smoothing the transition from buddy to boss, just for you!

Team building activities that encourage trust and self-reliance

The insightful multi-hyphenate Liz Weisman–– author of New York Times bestseller Impact Players–– offers us some particularly valuable wisdom in this realm by encouraging managers to create four essential conditions for every delegation opportunity: context, clarity, co-creation, and connection. 

In addition to her research and executive advising, Weisman’s teachings are also accessible through very practical demonstrations, such as the rubber band-based game from her talk at the 2017 Silicon Slopes summit. The concept is quite simple: two people tug opposite ends of a rubber band, both pulling until someone moves. The lesson? Leaders should always challenge their co-workers by stretching their limitations and supporting them when they inevitably fall–– metaphorically speaking, of course. 

At this same event, Weisman also used a hugely inspirational video of a young girl's first ski jump to show that anyone can succeed with the right motivations. Yes, great work might mean stretching; but stretching yourself and others is an overall positive thing, teaching us what discomfort, risk, mistakes, and bouncing back feel like. 

Create the right environment to foster the superstars on your team

Crafting the perfect environment for your team’s superstar qualities to emerge may feel like a massive undertaking, but by making a few simple tweaks to the way you think about delegation, motivation, and comfort zones, you’re bound to see courage take hold and employees transform before your eyes. 

Over the years, through our premier leadership program Activate, we’ve walked alongside workplace leaders as they’ve prepared themselves and their teams through some much-needed stretching in their roles. Picking up again this spring, our next cohort will engage managers in purposeful conversations and prepare them with toolkits for leadership to ultimately change the way delegation looks in their own organizations. 

Eager to help your employees realize their own potential? Schedule a strategy call with us to learn more about how Activate is equipping leaders with the resources to grow alongside their teams for universal self-sufficiency, proactivity, and success. 

To the pursuit of career-long stretching. 

Carrie & Team Leadology