How to Build a Team of Go-To People
By Amy Jacques
October 2021
“Which works better for you? Being a go-to person or building a team of go-to people?” asked leadership expert and executive coach Scott Eblin on LinkedIn. Eighty-four percent of the respondents answered building a team of go-to people.
In a post on his Eblin Group blog, he talked with eight leaders to glean their advice on how to build out these types of go-to teams.
First, “build a safe environment where everyone can bring their full and true selves to the team. Then coach the team to find best solutions by embracing dynamic tension and bold creativity,” says Holly Kortright, chief human resources officer for Navy Federal Credit Union.
Empowering and energizing people with the right skills to know how to work well together is the next requirement, says Cynthia Horner, M.D., medical director for Amwell.
Cara Streb, COO of Take 2 Consulting reminds everyone to practice patience: “Coach your team, trust they are doing their best and support their failures.”
“Build a team who understands that great work comes from the recognition that no work is beneath you,” says Leigh Chaney, corporate director of CAMC University at Charleston Area Medical Center.
Also, don’t settle for less, advises Brian Schools, president and CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union. Make sure you trust one another and agree to grow together.
As a leader, you need to be willing to fight for your team members, adds Terry Chu, general counsel of MPOWER Financial.
Maureen Finn, learning and talent development executive for global pharmaceutical company Takeda, says to remember: trust, respect, support, empower. “In addition, make everything about them and not about me!”
“Don’t always feel the need to be the frontman when presenting to senior leaders. Give your team the opportunity... It develops them and signals their capability to others,” offers Michael Keeton, director of data and analytics for Barclays U.K.
Here are eight ways to create and grow a solid team you can count on.
- Create a safe environment.
- Make the roles clear.
- Be patient.
- Keep it real.
- Don’t settle.
- Fight for them.
- Remember, it’s not about you.
- Put them in the spotlight.
Amy Jacques
Amy Jacques is the managing editor of publications for PRSA. A native of Greenville, S.C., she holds a master’s degree in arts journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia’s Grady College and a certificate in magazine and website publishing from New York University.
