The Secret to Leading Without Authority The author of Never Eat Alone and Who's Got Your Back talks about his new book and strategies for elevating collaborative teams.

By David Meltzer

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Keith Ferrazzi is the founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, a Los Angeles-based research and consulting business, and author of the bestselling books Never Eat Alone and Who's Got Your Back? Ferrazzi talks with #ThePlaybook host David Meltzer about his new book Leading Without Authority and shares strategies for "co-elevating" teams.

Ferrazzi talks about typical team dynamics which generally consist of groups of siloed individuals with some overlap and who occasionally collaborate — but are usually simply coexisting. Leaders, then, assume responsibility and play whack-a-mole to address challenges. But to succeed, Ferrazzi explains, leaders should disperse responsibility, moving it from themselves and onto the team. Team members that lift each other up and care about each other succeed together.

This "co-elevation" of teams involves changed behaviors and mindsets, but acting your way into a new way of thinking is more effective than thinking your way into a new way of acting, Ferrazzi says.

Ferrazzi suggests shifting to co-elevation by adopting the eight attributes of high-performing teams he details in his new book. Among them:

  • Empathy, by starting meetings with "sweet and sour," in which each team member discloses how they're doing, to nurture the team's growth in serving, sharing and caring
  • Courage and candor, for which Ferrazzi advises leaders to use breakout sessions of only three team members each during larger virtual meetings to provide psychological safety and spur innovation
  • Celebration and praise, adopting a weekly meeting agenda item for each team member to identify someone within the company for whom they are grateful

Ferrazzi also talks about the current remote work environment as an opportunity to reboot and "recontract" teams, considering this as a time not to go back to work, but to go forward to work with a commitment to collaboration and co-creation.

Related: Fail Often, Fail Fast, Fail Cheap

Wavy Line
David Meltzer

Entrepreneur Leadership Network Writer

Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing, Speaker, Author and Business Coach

David Meltzer, co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and host of Entrepreneur's podcast, “The Playbook”, is a Top 100 Business Coach, global public speaker and three-time international best-selling author who has been honored by Variety as “Sports Humanitarian of the Year”.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

California Woman Arrested For $60 Million Postal Service Scam

Lijuan "Angela" Chen faces two charges that each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Business News

The FTC Is About to Change Subscription Services Forever. Here's How You Can Prepare.

The new "click-to-cancel" provision will make renewing and terminating subscriptions easier.

Devices

Score a Refurbished, Grade-A iPad Mini and Free Headphones for Just $99.99

Take advantage of this amazing price just in time for summer.

Living

5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Your body and mind are the cornerstones of your success — are you taking care of yourself?

Business News

3 Companies to Pay Over $1 Billion in Settlement Over 'Forever Chemicals' Allegedly Contaminating U.S. Water Systems

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are nearly impossible to break down and can have serious consequences to human health and the environment.