When I became a leader, I was very focused on the skills I had to learn, and taking care of my team. That was my job. At least I thought so. While this is true to a certain extent, there is more to it.

What if I would tell you that instead of prioritising your team, you should prioritise your peers? Well, this is what Patrick Lencioni calls First-Team mindset.

It might sound false at first, but the more you think into it and try to experience it, the more it makes sense. You could have the best team, composed of all the most excellent individual contributors, but notice that all the work they are doing isn't moving the needle. You need to be aligned with your fellow leaders and the company, in order to be of better service to your direct team.

A First-Team mindset:

• creates a support network for you

• helps with visibility of dependencies and shared goals

• strengthens a learning culture

• gets you to be more vulnerable with your peers and overall.

Here are a few things you can use to try it out:

Approach it proactively

Be the person that reaches out to your peers to connect, if you feel the need. Also, bring the topic up with them and see what they think about it.

Share and Help

If you have a peer leader sync already, use that to build trust within each other and chat about common challenges or thoughts that help each other. The goal is not to find the solution but to mainly open up, show vulnerability, and share learnings.

No Ego

When the opportunities show up, and another teams needs help: Be the one that helps them. Put your ego behind you and step in.

Listen

Is a peer opening up with you, or sharing work challenges? Be sure that only end up in advice-giving mode. Be an active listener and understand what the other person is going through.