“A healthy sense of humor and ridicule are good tools for team cohesion.” SJ.
We all make mistakes occasionally, errare humanum est. So, if you’re one of those who strive to appear perfect, stop wasting energy on it because you’re not, and you know what? No member of your team is, neither are the other executives. And that’s okay.
Don’t waste energy hiding or covering up your clumsiness, forgetfulness, distractions, lack of organization, or ideas, because that’s why you surround yourself with professionals. Relax, think that where one person falls short, another person can step in.
A better leader is not the one who never makes mistakes, but the one who laughs at themselves when they occasionally do, when they show vulnerability because it teaches others a genuine version of themselves.
One of the keys to team cohesion is to be understanding and authentic with others, not tolerating mockery or ridicule from one another for a mistake, a forgetfulness, or a blunder because if you tolerate it and/or do it yourself, what example are you setting? On the other hand, when you use a healthy sense of humor, treat others naturally, with respect, support them, see them as individuals, take an interest in them, and be the first to laugh at yourself, others see it as something natural, and gradually you create an environment where everyone relaxes and internal communication flows. As a result, the team becomes cohesive.
In one of the recent photo and video sessions with my team, we went out to the garden for a break and some fresh air, and they thought it would be original and nice to take some photos next to the lemon tree. Since they kept joking around, it was very difficult for me to control my laughter and bursts of laughter, as you can see. That day we worked particularly hard, ideas for future projects emerged, and the best part is that we didn’t feel tired or bored.
If people are relaxed and having fun while working, time flies, and ideas for innovation are enhanced.
The image of a boss who appears serious and distant from their team – to avoid too much “familiarity” – is already outdated. This restrictive environment is avoided by younger (and not so young) people because it is uncomfortable, unhealthy, and not conducive to creativity or teamwork.
In short, if you want to improve results and achieve and surpass the objectives set by the company, consider that your leaders must be able to promote the cohesion of team members as a preliminary step to greater involvement.
At Aprofitalents, we help teams develop individual leadership through group training, and we don’t have a single copy-and-paste technique, but it depends on each team, what is needed at that moment, their personality, and that of the company. What is always present is respect, passion for people, and a sense of humor.
