Here’s the Bottom Line
Believing that we, as individuals and teams, are worth the time and effort to nurture our well-being and connection is transformative.
It shifts the way we show up, collaborate, and handle challenges. When we understand that we deserve the investment of time and resources, we unlock a culture that values meaningful work, stronger relationships, and sustainable performance.
A Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
In our rushed and busy-addicted world, the idea of investing time to nurture team well-being may seem like a luxury rather than a necessity. Why take time away from a critical agenda item to reassure adults that they belong on this team? Well, it’s simple - because we need it.
The moment we pause and collectively affirm, “We are worth an investment of our time and energy,” the dynamic changes.
Teams often get caught in a loop of attention poverty, time scarcity, conflict, and burnout. Recognizing our worth is an act of rebellion against this culture—a decisive step toward more intentional interactions.
When teams begin with the understanding that they are worth taking time to check in, reflect, and align, they create space for clarity and connection. This isn’t just an abstract concept. It is the groundwork for real, pragmatic change.
The Cost of Neglect
Why does this matter so much? Teams that don't believe they are worth the investment often fall into cycles of neglect and inefficiency - even if they are well-intentioned people who don’t mean to.
Here’s a surprising truth: teams routinely function at a fraction of their potential effectiveness due to this lack of intentionality to attend to themselves and nurture a productive environment. The result? A tolerance for mediocrity that would be unacceptable in any other domain. Would you drive a car that only worked 30% of the time? No. So why do we accept this for our teams?
Engagement and trust erode when we don’t feel valued or believe our work is significant. Carrying unprocessed conflict becomes a bad habit. Frustrations simmer. Interactions become transactional. Meaningful relationships and progress halt. But there is a better way.
Reclaiming Your Team’s Worth
We can all change the environment for our teams. You don’t need an appointed position or formal leadership or to wait for a particular time of year to change your experience. This is what we like to call “ownership.”
How do you start to shift this? Begin by claiming that you and your team are worth the effort. I’ve got a few ideas for you - and they aren’t rocket science:
Create a Culture of Permission: Let it be known that taking time to invest in team health and connection is encouraged and will be rewarded. A culture that signals, “We are worth this” empowers everyone to show up with more authenticity and ownership.
Start Small with Check-Ins: Take five minutes at the start or end of a meeting to check in with each other. Questions as simple as, “What’s one word to describe how you’re showing up to this meeting?” can go a long way.
Celebrate the Good: Don’t underestimate the power of acknowledging wins—big or small. When you remind the team that their work is seen and valued, you reinforce that they’re worth celebrating. Try in-the-moment celebrations by saying, “I just want to pause our conversation briefly to acknowledge that Amber took the initiative on that project and really helped us stay on track.”
Pause to Reflect: Carve out time to reflect on how things are going. This can be done regularly (10 minutes weekly) or methodically (an intentional offsite twice a year). These conversations can re-center a team and eliminate confusion.
Hope and Momentum
I tell my clients regularly, “You have to find hope before you can find momentum.” When teams believe they are worth the effort, hope can be kindled. And with hope, the sustaining momentum of ownership follows.
It’s not about expecting perfection; it’s about knowing that even amidst challenges, your team can choose to take small steps forward. It’s realizing that conflict, apathy, or neglect doesn’t have to be the default mode—it can be a choice you can step out of.
Ask yourself and your team: What would change if we believed, without question, that we are worth investing our time and care?
You’re Worth It
Here’s what I’ll leave you with: you’re worth it. Your team is worth it. I know it. When will you know it, too?
Take a moment in your next meeting to express why your team is worth the time and effort.
Every small step toward valuing your team builds momentum toward a culture where everyone knows they are seen, heard, and, most importantly, worth it.
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