Isn’t it fulfilling to do work that you are passionate about? Now, imagine doing it with the people you love working with. Won’t it make the experience much fuller and gratifying especially when you all learn and grow together?

I, for one, thrive in teams where my voice is heard, where feedback is valued and respected, and where individual growth is given importance as much as the success of the entire team. This is why when I was given a team of my own to lead, the individual growth of each person in the team has been top priority.

We gathered partnership associates and some of the regional leaders of the External Affairs team of the 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines Inc. to hone their communication skills, particularly on crafting an effective pitch that leads to strategic partnerships for various efforts towards achieving the 17 Global Goals. Aside from them learning and developing a new skill, we have also uncovered a few ways to maximize that single event in order to give the participating members the most value possible. Here are two things you may do for your teammates if you have just started a team of your own.

Engage members in knowledge and skills sharing.

Our teammate and lead coordinator for external affairs in Metro Manila, Joshua Aragon, shared his expertise on the subject, having closed multi-million peso deals as founder and CEO of his business, the online grocery Pushkart.ph (Free recommendation here haha: check this out if you want a convenient grocery shopping experience… online!) Joshua has also made a name for himself as one of the known young entrepreneurs in the country.

Learning can start from within the organization. Outsourcing talents and expertise doesn’t always have to be the first and only choice. While it is immensely beneficial to learn from experts from outside your group (even industry), sometimes, it will even be more practical and enriching to find and recognize the unique skills and expertise of the members of the team. Give them a platform to share their knowledge and talents, and also learn from others. Not only do we get to provide a new learning opportunity for the other members of the team, but we also get to help the one speaking in front by honing and practicing what he’s already good at. After all, there will always be new insights, and even challenges and opposing views that will surface each time we open a discourse.

Create a nurturing environment.

Two of our leaders wanted to develop their potential in event management, and what better way to start than by organizing mini-gatherings such as an internal workshop. Here, they could be in a safe environment where they could freely explore, experiment, and even fail along the way. Some of us learn better through hands on practice and by receiving immediate constructive feedback.

Identify skills you need to develop in your members and find ways on how they can learn and explore while adding value to the success of the entire team.

Investing in each member of the team is as good as investing in the exponential success and effectiveness of the entire group. Imagine the infinite possibilities an entire group could do versus what a single person could do by him/herself!

This team may be young but the potential of each individual is endless. It is therefore a challenge for us leaders to lay down a fertile ground where everyone in our team, including ourselves, can flourish and realize our full potential.

Make greater things happen… together!