"If We're Called a Team, We Are One, Right?"

It turns out the answer is no, but becoming one isn't so hard.

I was fortunate enough to learn about this topic in depth early in both my professional and personal life. I have passion for the topic as I have experienced the power of its impact. Anyone that has felt what it is to be part of a real team knows how it feels!

In many workplaces, people often refer to their colleagues as a "team," but in reality, they may just be a group of individuals working side by side. Being part of a working group feels like rowing in a boat where everyone is moving forward, but each person is focused on their own rhythm. 

The work gets done, but the experience can feel disjointed and fragmented, as people contribute independently rather than in sync. It’s productive, but not truly cohesive.

In contrast, being part of a real team is like rowing in near perfect harmony, even if the water is choppy. 

There’s an intuitive sense of connection, where each person adjusts their effort based on the needs of others. The boat doesn’t just move forward; it glides smoothly because the team is unified by trust and shared purpose. The difference is striking, but the effort required to make this transformation is often smaller than people think. 

With just a bit of intentional effort, a group can cross a massive chasm from workgroup to true team, unlocking a much greater level of impact and improved experience.

Forming a true team doesn’t happen automatically by virtue of shared employment. 

You can’t just put a group of people together and hope they magically start working as one. The term "team" is used too liberally, often implying a level of cohesion that simply doesn’t exist without effort. It’s easy to wonder why people don’t naturally gel or feel frustrated when a working group doesn’t seem to "click." But the missing ingredient is almost always purposeful effort—conversations about strengths, needs, operating styles… the “vulnerability” stuff.

The good news is that this purposeful effort isn’t complex or burdensome. Simple actions like

• Asking about each other’s experiences

• Openly demonstrating meaningful connection through real listening

• Aligning around a common goal through committed dependability (Say this out loud - “You can all count on me to…”) 

  
  

All can transform a group into a high-performing team. 

It’s about fostering a culture where people not only know their role but feel accountable to the whole.

Take that small, intentional step toward collaboration, rather than passively waiting for it to happen.

Ultimately, the difference between a working group and a real team comes down to intention and action. With just a little bit of purposeful effort, you can cross the chasm between disjointed collaboration and true unity. The reward of working as a real team is exponentially greater, and the path to getting there is surprisingly accessible once everyone commits to making it happen.

I count myself as extremely fortunate to be part of a group that lives these behaviors and in an organization that culturally promotes this with regularity.