What it Means to Work in a Trusting Team
Over the years of playing tennis at all levels and in different places there was one thing that I missed the most. One thing that helped me be at my natural best. It’s working in a trusting team. To play for myself didn’t really ignite a flame in me like playing for others did.
Pizzey Cup Tennis Tournament
One of the few team events in tennis was the Pizzey Cup, a national tournament where you are selected to be a part of a team of 8 boys and 8 girls, representing your state.
It was the night before the final and all 16 of us were huddled around one table in one of the apartments we were staying at. All of us tense, as we tried to figure out the order and combinations for singles and doubles the next day.
As finals day came around, New South Wales were set to take on Western Australia. I distinctly remember that final doubles match. My parter Srijan and I were so fired up. We were nervous, but playing freely. Our team mates, coaches and Physio all surrounding the court watching, cheering and supporting. The energy was insane!
We went on to win that match as well as the whole Championship. It was one of the most memorable weeks of my life.
Being a part of a team where people have your back and you have people to look up to was an environment that I thrived in. In these environments I feel less alone, less pressure. That week impacted me a lot, because I realised going through hardships with a tight knit group of people and finishing on top is an indescribable feeling. When you play for something bigger than yourself and you know clearly what your job is, you can do it to the best of your ability. And at the end, it becomes a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
“A trusting team is when people feel safe. When they feel like they can be vulnerable amongst their own. They can raise their hand and say I’ve made a mistake… without any fear of humiliation or retribution”- Simon Sinek
Built Environment Association (BEA)
Just under a month ago, I joined the executive team of the Built Environment Association at UTS. Going in, one of my goals was to learn what it means to operate and lead in a trusting team.
I know I haven’t been there that long, but just like how I felt in the Pizzey Cup, I could feel when I was surrounded by like-minded people. A trusting team, working day in day out on projects to try and serve our community with high quality professional and personal development, is what we believe in. But, we can feel that it’s not about what we’re doing as much as it is the people we are working with.
As someone who played an individual sport for so long, the little things that connect and bond the team really matter. It is the camaraderie. Whether it is the weekly check ins where we listen to each others pain points, lessons learnt and what we are grateful for, or the late night banter on our group chat whilst trying to work together on a project… it’s an environment where we can be ourselves.
Our team and the trust and connection that is being established within it will take time… a lot of it. It is not perfect in any way, but each day we are all working for our cause and for each other. As leaders trying to make an impact, finding people that believe what you do is the first step. The second is connecting with each other. And the third is constantly asking:
“How can we create an environment so that our people can work at their natural best?”
