How Great Leaders Build Great Teams

If you've ever seen a flock of geese flying in that perfectly aerodynamic "V" formation, you know nature has a lot to teach us about teamwork. (Fun fact: geese honk to encourage each other—something to think about next time you hear your boss shouting across the office.) Great leaders don't just manage teams; they build them, with intention, vision, and yes, the occasional honk of encouragement.

So, how do the best leaders create teams that not only perform but thrive? Let’s break it down.

1. They Hire for Character, Not Just Skills

Skills get the résumé in the door. Character keeps the team together when deadlines loom, coffee runs dry, and Wi-Fi signals weaken. Great leaders know that the right mindset, attitude, and values matter just as much as technical ability. After all, you can teach someone to use a new software, but it's a lot harder to teach resilience, integrity, or collaboration.

Pro tip: When interviewing, throw in a question that reveals character—like asking about a time they helped a colleague succeed (bonus points if there were snacks involved).

2. They Set a Clear Vision (Without Micromanaging It to Death)

Imagine setting out on a road trip with no GPS, no map, and no idea if you're headed toward the beach or a dentist appointment. Stressful, right? Great leaders clearly articulate the "where" and the "why," but they let their teams help figure out the "how." This gives team members ownership, creativity, and the dignity of not being treated like a GPS robot. ("Recalculating..." is nobody's favorite phrase.)

A compelling vision creates alignment. A little autonomy creates magic.

3. They Build Trust Through (Gasp) Vulnerability

Real trust isn’t built when everything’s going right. It’s built when leaders say things like, “I don’t have all the answers yet,” or “I made a mistake.” This might feel counterintuitive. (After all, aren't leaders supposed to be superheroes?) But vulnerability is the true superpower. It invites authenticity, openness, and a culture where people bring their full selves—not just their polished résumés—to the table.

Trust me, nobody's following a leader who pretends they have it all together 100% of the time. (We all know Superman wears sweatpants on his days off.)

4. They Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection

Nothing kills morale faster than perfectionism. Great leaders celebrate wins big and small—the launched project, the better-than-expected client feedback, the intern finally mastering the coffee machine.

Celebrating progress builds momentum. It reminds the team that growth, learning, and incremental wins matter, and that they're moving the needle even when they can’t yet see the full picture.

Pro tip: A handwritten note, a shoutout in a meeting, or an impromptu pizza party can go a lot further than you think. (Never underestimate the power of free pizza.)

5. They Make It Safe to Speak Up

Brilliant ideas don't always show up dressed in a three-piece suit. Sometimes they come from the quietest voice in the room, or from the person whose job title has nothing to do with the issue at hand.

Great leaders create environments where everyone feels psychologically safe to question, challenge, or brainstorm without fear of embarrassment or retaliation. A culture of honest dialogue isn’t just "nice"—it’s a competitive advantage.

Remember: It's hard to innovate when everyone is just nodding politely like bobbleheads.

Building a great team isn’t magic. It’s leadership at its best—intentional, human, and yes, sometimes a little messy. It’s about gathering the right people, pointing them toward a shared dream, giving them room to run, and cheering like mad along the way.

And maybe, just maybe, tossing in a few honks of encouragement now and then.