This question—the first of the Team Leadership questions in the Architects Leadership Journal —evolved when designing a LEGO SeriousPlay workshop to explore the layers of our identity as team members. How our team members see us doesn't always reflect our best intentions.
During the workshop, we built a LEGO model of how we perceive our teammates view us. It is vulnerable and honest, but LEGO makes it easier for us to tell our stories. The builds often reveal a mix of strengths and weaknesses; we acknowledged that layers of beliefs, assumptions, and judgments may often obscure our true selves.
For instance, you might have found yourself as the Silent Contributor in a team setting. You have valuable insights and ideas but remain quiet during team discussions. You might fear rejection or judgment from your peers, leading you to keep your thoughts to yourself, but realise this isn’t the impression you need as it will hold you back.
Or, your years of experience, which allowed you to foresee project challenges and obstacles ahead, have led you to adopt the persona of the Grumpy Psychic. You might want to protect your team from future challenges and delays further down the line, yet recognise that you need to relay your messages more positively.
Reflecting on my own experiences within a team environment, I observed instances where I unintentionally portrayed myself in a less-than-ideal light. For example, when overwhelmed and without boundaries to say "no," I found myself annoyed and resentful—and sounding like it when I spoke. However, this is different from the image I aspired to project. I aimed to embody the qualities of engagement, positivity, and proactive problem-solving.
The gap between your perceived and desired identities underscores the importance of consciously shaping how you want to be seen by your team.
The final stage in my Lego Serious Play workshop is about the future vision – the out-of-reach but attainable best version of ourselves as leaders and team members. This future-oriented perspective prompts us to consider how we want to be perceived by our team in our best state.
This future vision: “How Do I Want To Be Seen By My Team?” serves as a guiding light, reminding us that we have the power to choose our thoughts, emotions, and actions each day. We can aim to embody the positive change we desire, bridging the divide between the filtered or self-doubting version of ourselves and the ideal team member we aspire to become.
Considering your own experiences within your team, how do you envision bridging the gap between your current self and your ideal team member self? Reflect on how aligning your actions with your aspirations can lead to greater authenticity and stronger relationships within your team.
PS: This article is part of an email series explaining the weekly leadership questions in the Architect’s Leadership Journal. Why I included it, and how you can think about it. You can join this email series here.