Misunderstanding the intentions of team members is one of the biggest handicaps of teams. When intentions are not understood including that of the leader, team members won’t be as willing to share feelings, raise ideas and talk about concerns.

One of the most difficult challenges of any leader is to create a work environment where people get a long and feel safe from negative confrontation, backstabbing and gossip. Several years ago I was brushing my teeth when one of my kids informed me that my two year old son had used the very toothbrush that I was using!

I have never known a perfect team that consisted of perfect people. Perfect teams are diverse teams and each comes with people who are weak in some areas and strong in others. I love the following story that illustrates the need to work with less than perfect people, overcome our difference and eventually become the perfect team.

I have had the opportunity recently of observing several brainstorming sessions. Solid brainstorming rules could have made all the difference in these sessions, if the facilitator had been aware of them.