Team Over Self: Building a Culture Where People Show Up for Each Other

"We over me!" Creating a team doesn't just meet goals - they look out for one another!

When I worked at the courts, I mentored a volunteer who came in a few times a week. I didn’t just show her how to do the job—I explained why we did it, how the team made things happen, and why showing up for others wasn’t just good for the group, it was good for your future. I told her that teamwork gets things done, but it also builds your reputation. People remember when you help. That same volunteer eventually took my role when I moved up and again when I left the job.

Years later, when I returned to the court for a notary signature, I asked for her since we had been working friends. She came out to talk with me. I learned she had moved step by step into the role of Clerk of the General District Courts. She was in charge of everyone in the General District court. She proudly introduced me around, telling everyone, “This is the Debbie I told you about.” She not only learned the importance of being a team player but also created a working environment built on it. I was proud of her.

That’s the power of building a team-first culture.

Why “We Over Me” Matters

Great teams don’t just meet goals. They look out for one another. They share knowledge. They jump in when someone’s overloaded. That doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through leadership, example, and everyday choices.

In this chapter of The Supervisor's Playbook, we’re focusing on how to shift your team from a group of individuals to a unified force that gets the job done together.

The Tuckman Model: A Roadmap to Team Dynamics

Bruce Tuckman’s classic model breaks team development into 5 stages:

1. Forming – Everyone’s polite. Roles are unclear.

2. Storming – Conflict starts. People test boundaries.

3. Norming – Trust builds. People start working as a unit.

4. Performing – The team runs smoothly and supports each other.

5. Adjourning – The team celebrates and moves on when the work ends.

Your job as a supervisor is to help them move from storming to norming and then into performing—and that takes trust, coaching, and clarity.

Small Actions Build Team Culture

Teamwork isn’t built during pizza parties. It’s built in the in-between moments:

• Saying "thank you" for small wins

• Offering help before someone has to ask

• Recognizing effort, not just outcomes

• Giving team credit during meetings

• Asking for feedback as the boss

• Helping someone else even when it’s not your job

As a leader, model these behaviors. People copy what they see.

Create Shared Goals

One of the fastest ways to unite a team is to build shared goals:

• Post visual progress charts

• Celebrate milestones together

• Reward the team when goals are met (not just individuals)

• Use language like "we accomplished this" rather than "I did this"

When the focus is on "us" instead of "me," people shift from competition to collaboration.

Use Peer-to-Peer Support Systems

Assign mentors. Pair new hires with strong team members. Create an environment where people can train and learn from each other.

Cross-train whenever you can. Not only does it prepare people to cover each other’s tasks, but it also shows that everyone’s role matters.

Encourage your team to finish their work and then ask who else needs help. This is how you build mutual respect.

Stories That Stick: Why This Matters

I’ve seen it firsthand. That volunteer who listened, who showed up, who learned the job, and learned how to be a teammate, she didn’t just land a promotion. She grew into a leader. And when I walked into her court years later, she modeled the same team-first attitude I had shown her.

You don’t just train tasks—you teach attitude. That lives on.

What You Can Try Today

• Ask your team what they think makes a strong team

• Share one story where teamwork made a difference in your own life

• Add a team win column to your board or dashboard

• Set one shared team goal this month, and reward it together

• Start a “who can I help today?” culture

Next Steps

If you’re ready to move your team from individuals to a strong, connected unit, we’re here to help. This kind of leadership doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by intention.

You can:

• Join a peer group focused on building workplace culture

• Talk through your challenges in Neighbor Chat

• Work one-on-one with Next Step Coaching to develop your team dynamic

You don’t have to do this alone. Visit SurvivingLifeLessons.com to build your team-first strategy today.

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