Having an ‘All for One, One for All’ Attitude

I was in the emergency room recently with my daughter. The nurse informed us that there’s a growing movement within medicine for doctors to practice some of the basic procedures that are typically handled by nurses. She then asked if it would be OK if the doctor placed and inserted the IV. In my case, the pediatric neurologist preferred to hone this basic skill on a brave teenager instead of a wiggly toddler. 

My amused daughter said, “yes,” and I held my breath as the nurse guided the doctor through the process. When he left the room, she described how this sort of role-reversal exercise put the team on the same playing field. She especially liked how it gave the doctors an appreciation for the nurses’ work, adding that it also improved the working relationship between them.

This experience got me thinking about my own workplace. Our leadership is genuinely committed to collaboration and believes that no one is “above” any task. To us, leaning in to do the work is always the right thing to do. It helps our teammates better serve our clients, and it also expands and hones our skills. 

My recent ER visit reinforced how a no-task-is-too-small-or-beneath-me philosophy can boost morale and make work more rewarding and, yes, fun. Here are six reasons why embracing such an attitude will benefit your company:

1. Appreciating what others do

There’s no better way to truly understand what a team member is facing than to sit in their seat and do what they do. I recently covered for a team member on a day off. I had to secure rounds of feedback, manage a technical upload and navigate software I hadn’t used in a while. It wasn’t easy, but it provided a deeper appreciation for what my colleague encounters on the frontlines. Besides, should I need to cover for her again, it will all come a bit easier to me having been through it once already. 

2. Leading — and learning — by example 

You build trust and respect when you roll up your sleeves and work side-by-side with someone. It also encourages them to do the same, especially as they expand their leadership skills and manage more people. Besides, learning from one another is inspiring, especially when the script is flipped and mentees are teaching mentors.

3. Fostering transparency and openness to change

It’s always good to encourage new ideas and ask your team for their opinions. A natural place to do this is when you are covering a task for a team member and get a glimpse into their approaches and processes. It becomes an entry point to share best practices and discuss possible enhancements. Most every process can be improved with some fresh perspective. 

4. Prioritizing — and rewarding — strengths

When you fill in for someone or join them in tackling a task, you gain a better view of that team member’s strengths and a deeper appreciation for their talents. This allows you to handpick future opportunities for them that play to their strengths — which is often the most rewarding work for them. We all get a special charge from those tasks that we excel at. There’s a little showoff in even the most introverted among us.

5. Fostering a problem-solving mentality

Agency life is filled with unexpected situations that require teams to jump in to develop solutions. In these all-hands-on-deck situations, we learn from each other and gain an appreciation for how helpful it is that our colleagues come with their own experiences and points of view. 

Different mindsets and approaches to problem-solving make everyone involved a little smarter and a little more likely to bring something different to the table the next time there’s a challenge to be tackled.

6. Radiating positivity that warms every worker’s heart

There’s not a worker in the world who doesn’t want his or her colleagues and bosses to understand and appreciate what they do. It’s the foundation on which a positive, supportive work environment is created and sustained. Starbucks’ CEO spends four hours a month working as a barista with the intent of “listening and staying connected.” Every leader should do the equivalent; it will make them and their companies better.

Nothing unites an agency or company quite like a true team spirit in which everyone feels as if the others have their back. When everyone is willing to pitch in, everyone benefits. And who can argue with that?

Anything you’d add to my list? Drop me a line at bcastellini@wordsworthweb.com.