In this episode of The Leader’s Kitbag, I challenge the common assumption that every group of direct reports is automatically a ‘team’. Spoiler alert: they’re often not. Drawing on three key characteristics, shared goals, interdependence, and mutual accountability, I offer a simple framework to help you identify whether you’re truly leading a team or just a group of individuals working in proximity. Recognising the distinction is more than semantics; it has a real impact on how we lead, motivate, and structure our people. Get this right, and you’ll be leading with clarity and purpose. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 defining features of a true team How to spot if you’re leading a group, not a team Why mislabelling workgroups as “teams” drives the wrong leadership behaviours Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox If you enjoyed this episode and want more practical, no-nonsense insights on leadership and team development, subscribe to my newsletter right here . You’ll get tools, strategies, and reflections that will help you lead with clarity, build real teams, and get better results without burning out.
