The challenges and rewards of building an effective team
Aisling Ridge says that, far from diminishing her independence, collaboration and teamwork has only enhanced what she can accomplish, both alone and as part of something larger.
Teamwork - a word I probably shied away from most of my life. As the youngest of six, you’d think it would be second nature to me. But years of hearing my mum mutter, "If you want something done, you're better off doing it yourself," had a lasting effect. Add in 14 years of competitive Irish dancing, where it’s every girl for herself, and teamwork remained something of an enigma.
Growing up, I was most comfortable in an environment focused on individual performance, where "Don't get in my way, and I won’t get in yours" was the common exchange before stepping on stage at a competition. I learned to rely on myself, believing that if you went it alone, at least you had only yourself to blame when things went wrong. Even during my school and university years, the emphasis was on individual achievement. Sure, we did the occasional group project, but I always seemed to thrive more when I worked independently.
Then came the corporate world, where the dreaded "T" word became impossible to avoid. Especially when building a team became part of the job - your reward for treading the boards.
This wasn’t just an art or a science. It was an intricate dance blending the pursuit of goals with the management of different personalities. Now, dancing I should have been good at, but even the best choreography doesn't guarantee a flawless routine. Yet when you get it right, the rewards are truly gratifying. So, what have I learned along the way?
The challenges: stepping out of my comfort zone
The first challenge was letting go of the belief that doing it myself was always the best option. There's a certain comfort in autonomy. You set your pace, you set your standards, and success (or failure) is all yours. Transitioning from this mindset to one where success depends on collective effort was, quite frankly, daunting.
The next hurdle was understanding the value of different perspectives. When you're used to relying solely on your own judgment, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of diverse thinking. A great team isn’t about finding people just like you; it’s about bringing together individuals with a mix of skills, strengths, and quirks. I had to learn different styles of working were not necessarily less effective (even if, at times, I was convinced they were).
Then, there was the challenge of aligning everyone towards a common goal. It’s essential each team member understands the vision, as without that alignment, you risk fragmentation. Ongoing communication and shared ownership of goals help keep everyone on the same page.
And then, there was trust. Trust doesn't develop overnight. It takes time, effort, and, perhaps most importantly, vulnerability. I had to learn to delegate, to let others lead, and to trust they'd get the job done, even if it wasn’t the way I'd have done it.
“A great team isn’t about finding people just like you; it’s about bringing together individuals with a mix of skills, strengths, and quirks.”
The rewards: stepping into success
But here’s where the rewards come in. When you start to get it right, this is where the magic happens. The workload isn’t just lighter - it’s better. Ideas begin to grow and evolve in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if they'd stayed in one person’s head. There's something exhilarating about brainstorming as a team, sharing those lightbulb moments, and building off each other until you create something greater than the sum of its parts.
One of the most rewarding parts of building an effective team is seeing individual strengths shine. Everyone has a superpower, and when you bring those powers together, they’re amplified (just think Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, case in point).
Realising everyone has something unique to contribute shifted my entire perspective. It wasn’t about losing autonomy; it was about gaining the power of collective expertise.
Another reward lies in the support system a team provides. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not in it alone. When things go wrong - and they inevitably do - you have people by your side to help navigate the storm. It’s during these crisis moments you see the real value of effective teamwork. Each member brings their unique skills to the table, and together, you overcome obstacles insurmountable alone.
And finally, the biggest reward of all has been personal growth. Teamwork has made me a better listener, a more empathetic leader, and, perhaps most surprisingly, a more effective individual contributor. Collaboration didn’t diminish my independence; it enhanced what I could accomplish, both alone and as part of something larger.
Curtains up: the show goes on
I should be clear - I’m no expert in team dynamics, nor do I pretend to be. I’m an ex-Irish dancer turned insolvency professional, now navigating the world of business development. I’m simply here to share my journey, and I know you have your own stories. I'd love to hear them, because building an effective team is a continuous journey. Take your eyes off the prize for a second, and you're right back to tackling the challenges. And trust me, it takes more than an entrechat to dance your way out of those!
Whilst my mum's old saying, "If you want something done, you're better off doing it yourself," still has its moments of truth, I’ve learned there’s no greater reward than achieving something as a team you'd never accomplish alone. That's the beauty of teamwork - that's where the real magic lies. Because success is always sweeter when shared.