On the initial FREEDOM TOUR in 2013, I created every route.
I obsessed over each detail, scoured Google for guidance, and was absolutely certain I had each turn of the entire week perfectly mapped out. I printed copies of my master plans, handed them out, and waited for the perfect results of my hard work.
I got a stomach ache when my directions led the team into a field where the trail literally ended. They ended up hiking, carrying their bikes and climbing fences. So much for my idea of being one-man route master.
This year I have a team of guys who are familiar with different parts of the state and understand the kind of routes we need. They’re scouting different possibilities and actually previewing portions of the trip. They’ll serve as leaders on those particular days.
They’ll send me the directions.
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Teams connect in two basic ways.
One is the “person in charge” model. Everyone connects to the leader through some sort of hierarchy. The leader then delegates and manages by way of an inner circle and an organizational flow chart, but the leader maintains control. Since every consequential decision flows through a central hub, nothing happens unless the leader signs off.
In the other model, the important connections happen among team members. The leader’s goal is to establish a clear vision, empower, and get out of the way.
The FREEDOM TOUR has moved in some directions I wouldn’t have chosen, usually due to ideas I wouldn’t have considered on my own. That’s the fun part of collaboration. You sell people on an idea and then watch where they take it. Generally they take it places you wouldn’t have gone on your own.
Collaboration doesn’t care about who gets credit or who’s right or who has to approve. Everyone serves the mission and contributes in their own way to moving it forward.
True collaboration gets messy. Members of collaborative teams take more risks and try new ideas on their own. They fail more…and succeed more.
My observation is that a lot of leaders want the illusion of collaboration without the risks. They manage and control every important detail and wonder why team members don’t take initiative.
Which kind of team would you prefer to join?