I love this term – we-ness. It’s the sense of togetherness crucial for high-functioning teams and effective leadership.​

I’m going to focus on our language as it’s such a powerful tool when it comes to fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and shared ownership with our teams. When we use the ‘I’ word it can create a sense of hierarchy and be attached to our ego. When using the ‘we’ word we automatically acknowledge the contributions of the whole team. ​

​The word ‘we’ emphasises that we’re not just leading from above, but that we’re part of the team working together towards a common goal and shared responsibility and encouraging a collective sense of accountability. Success and failure is a collective outcome, which builds and encourages collaboration and trust as you’re there, supporting and sharing in the challenges and successes. In challenging times, using ‘we’ can diffuse fear and the tendency to assign blame. It reassures the team that they’re all in it together, working through issues collectively rather than singling out individuals for mistakes.​

​When looking to create a sense of ‘we-ness’ within our teams, I find the following helpful:​

​💫  Always use ‘we’, ‘us’, and ‘our’ instead of ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘my’ when discussing goals, challenges, and successes. This consistent use of inclusive language reinforces the idea that the team operates as a unit.​

💫  Regularly recognise and celebrate team achievements, giving credit to the group rather than to individuals alone. Highlight how everyone’s contributions, big or small, played a part in reaching milestones.​

💫  In decision-making processes, gain input from the team and emphasise that their ideas are valued. When decisions are made, frame them as the result of collective thought and effort, reinforcing the idea that everyone’s voice matters.​

💫  Lead by example by engaging in collaborative work and showing openness to feedback. Demonstrate that as a leader, you’re part of the team, not separate from it.​

💫  Communicate a clear and compelling vision and then emphasise how each person’s role contributes to this vision, creating a shared sense of purpose that binds the team together.​

Just a little side note on creating we-ness…. I was once told that when relationships don’t exist look for cocreation. When you ask for advice, you’re automatically showing you value their contribution and an interest in what they’re doing. And that’s when the relationship begins!​

​I’d love to hear what you do to create we-ness in your teams.​