16 mins: Break down silos with first team mentality

What you'll learn:

Heather Gadonniex is an executive leader with experience in Silicon Valley startups, multinationals, and venture capital, shares practical insights on the often-overlooked foundation of successful organisations – the ‘First Team’.

Your First Team isn’t who you think: It isn’t your direct reports – it’s your peer group at the same level. For execs, that’s the leadership team; for people leaders, it’s your fellow managers; for individual contributors, it’s your cross-functional project teammates. This concept should flip our natural instinct to focus only on our own immediate team.

Five ways to strengthen your First Team:

1. Prioritise trust – You can build trust by asking for feedback on how you show up in group settings, then listen (without getting defensive!). Start with a simple question like ‘What’s one thing I could do differently in our meetings to be more helpful to the wider team?’
   
2. Align on objectives – What does bigger-picture success look like? Create shared goals that link everyone together. Or do a quick check by asking everyone to write down what they think the top 3 priorities are, then compare notes.
   
3. Debate healthily, then commit fully – Practice ‘disagree and commit‘ by voicing concerns early but genuinely (and openly) supporting the final call.
   
4. Meet regularly – Create regular check-ins with your First Team. Agendas aren’t needed, try ‘What are you working on that I should know about?’ Treat these meetings as non-negotiable.
   
5. Remember the human element – Take time to ask ‘What’s top of mind?’ – work or personal. Understanding what’s taking their mental energy explains a lot about their current work style.

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