January isn’t just about fresh starts and new goals. It’s a natural time for reflection. It’s a moment to pause and ask yourself: What worked well last year? What didn’t? What would I do differently? These are essential questions for personal and professional growth.
But when it comes to teamwork, there’s one question that rises above the rest:
“What can I do to be a better team leader and/or team member?”
It’s a powerful question—and here’s the twist: you’re not the right person to answer it.
Why? Because you’re looking at yourself from the inside out. Your intentions may be noble, but others experience your behavior from the outside in. That’s why this question belongs in a conversation and not just in your head.
So, carve out time to meet one-on-one with your teammates. Whether you’re the official leader or a valued member of the team, these conversations matter. Ask them directly:
“What can I do to be a better team leader and/or team member?”
Then listen. Really listen to what they tell you. Resist the urge to defend, explain, or minimize. If they say, “I don’t know,” don’t let them off the hook. Gently encourage them to reflect and share specifics. You might say, “If you did know, what might it be?” or “What’s one small thing that would make working with me easier or more effective?”
This idea echoes the work of Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world’s top executive coaches, who recommends asking this same question in all your key roles—whether that’s as a leader, teammate, parent, spouse, or sibling. It’s a simple but profound way to invite feedback and signal that you’re committed to growth.
The act of asking, as well as being open to the answe,r builds trust. It creates the kind of psychological safety where continuous improvement becomes the norm. And it demonstrates humility, one of the core characteristics of high-performing teams.
So, as you set your sights on a new year, don’t just focus on tasks and goals. Focus on relationships. Take the bold step of asking the question and really hearing the answer.
Because the best teams don’t just do great work together—they grow together.
Related Articles:
Forget Resolutions. Get Aligned.
Stop Choosing. Start Thinking: Escaping the Binary Trap in Team Decisions
Wearing Two Hats: The Executive Balancing Act Between “One Team” and Functional Priorities
Discover more from Kristin Arnold - The Extraordinary Team
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Kristin Arnold
KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CSP, CPAE-Speaker Hall of Fame, CPF | Master has been facilitating meaningful conversations between executives and managers to make better decisions and achieve extraordinary results for 30+ years. She's a leading authority on moderating panel discussions and passionate about finding the perfect olive to complement a vodka martini.
