The Magic & Tragedy Of Great Teams

Last week, I went for a long walk with a former colleague. We started talking about the best teams we’ve been part of, and other great teams we observed in various organizations.

One observation was that some of these great teams were able to survive even the most toxic environments ☠. The more toxic an environment got, the stronger the team members bonded. Protecting themselves from their environment.

As a coach, I’ve worked with teams that were already together for years. Of course, there were some changes, but there was a certain stability. These teams weren’t part of healthy work environments. Lots of blaming, naming, shaming, and work pressure ❌.

I really wondered why they stayed with the company. These were smart people that could easily find a new job. I even encouraged them to leave and offered alternatives. But to my surprise, they preferred to stay 🤷‍♂️. Despite the toxic culture. They just loved being part of the team ❤️.

Personally, I find this magical & tragical (not sure if that’s good English, but it sounds nice) at the same time. It shows the potential of a great team, and how a team can face even the most toxic environments. But it also makes me sad. Why not be a great team in a great environment? 🤔

In some cases, I’ve also experienced teams that left a company altogether. They didn’t necessarily join a new company together, but once one person decided to leave, all the others made similar decisions.

What are your thoughts about this❓Anything you recognize❓What are your personal experiences❓