A Whakapapa approach to unity

The Maori people of New Zealand have a spiritual belief called Whakapapa.

The idea behind this belief is that every person is part of an unbreakable chain of individuals that extends back to their ancestors and future generations.

We all share a connection, and the desire to establish and maintain that connection is a fundamental human desire. Our connection gives us a sense of identity, a common purpose, and a vision of what we are trying to achieve together. We establish and maintain these bonds through shared values, rituals, and traditions, which make our connections unbreakable.

Therefore, when you work with teams to strengthen their sense of identity, it is important to ask everyone what connects them. Their answers hold the key to what you need to work on. Their answers can tell you if you have a team working together towards a common goal or a group of individuals working against each other to achieve individual objectives.

Boosting productivity and reducing stress

When individuals work together towards a shared objective, adhering to spoken and unspoken rules, they become unstoppable.

They experience a sense of connection, which decreases anxiety and stress levels. On the contrary, in the absence of this sense of belonging, team members feel anxious, raising adrenaline levels and, ultimately, disunity and an inability to focus.

The art of building exceptional teams

To achieve exceptional results, you must learn to build great teams.

The first step towards this goal is to create a sense of belonging among team members. A fundamental human need must be fulfilled to build a successful team. You should cast your vision early and connect your team to a common goal that helps them feel connected.

How Southwest Airlines soars with servant leadership

The executives at Southwest Airlines have adopted a servant leadership approach, serving their employees daily.

This leadership style has helped them build a robust culture that has made them the best in the airline industry. Every Southwest employee feels appreciated, empowered, and understood, making them feel safe when taking risks and innovating. Their website outlines six values that drive their culture, and they ask employees to use these values as parameters when making decisions.

One of Southwest's core values is servant leadership. They take serving their team, customers, and shareholders seriously. They follow the golden rule, treat each other with respect, and create a family-like atmosphere, which has propelled their company to become the best airline company in the country.

Could you please tell me when you feel like you are a part of a team?