We could all learn a thing or two from Manarola
Recently, I learned two 18-year-olds in my neighborhood were jumped at gunpoint at 10 pm on a weekday as they came home from our local park after their baseball game. They turned over their baseball gear and phones to the criminals who appeared to be their same age.
Our sons, now in their twenties played baseball from age 5 to 18 years at that same park. No one had ever been jumped walking home during those years.
As I started to think about what I could do about this, I thought about my friend Dario.
Recently, Dario told me about his town, Manarola, Italy. He is one of 200 residences who hosts up to 800 tourists from around the world, who come to enjoy his town's charm.
Dario said they had no police. I asked him how the town copes with no police.
He said they had a "group chat."
You see, as a small town, they need to rely on the police from the next town over. Because of the mountainous terrain, it will take more than 30 minutes for them to arrive. That's why they created a group chat - to take care of one another if police aren't available or until they arrive.
When a resident of the town has a concern about a visitor, they put it in the group chat. Then everyone works together to keep "on eye on the situation" and if police are needed, they continue their watch until police arrive.
My neighborhood community in Chicago is pretty different than Manarola, but I like to think that we are more similar than different. We are good people that care about one another and will go to great lengths to keep one another safe.
Leaders,
At home and at work, we need to know our neighbors and trust that they will come together when any of us is feeling uneasy or threatened.
Relationship building doesn't just happen. It needs to be both intentional and consistent.
Checklist for Relationship Building at work:
- Start with establishing a construct for your team like Manarola's group chat or a weekly "no agenda" meet-up during lunch or after work where your team members know they can come for camaraderie and with concerns.
- Role model its use. Start by engaging with friendly banter. Be personal. For example, ask the team for some simple advice, like a restaurant or movie suggestion.
- Participate actively and consistently. Show up every time to demonstrate your endorsement. Encourage the conversation. On the chat, this can be as simple as a short comment or a "like." In person, make it a point to be the first one there and make the rounds ensuring you learn something new from each person and that they from you.
Research is clear on this. The highest performing teams operate from a place of trust and safety. As a leader, it's your job to figure out how to promote trust and ensure safety of all your team members.
And if you find yourself in Manarola, schedule a boat ride with Dario at Rayo Verde Tour. Not only will you enjoy the ride, but you'll learn great life lessons from Dario.
Key Points:
- Create workplace safety through trust and connection: Just like the residents of Manarola use a group chat to watch out for each other, leaders can establish intentional systems like “no agenda” meet-ups or team chats to build psychological safety and a sense of support at work.
- Intentional relationship-building improves team performance: Regular, personal, and consistent engagement from leaders fosters trust, which research shows is the foundation of high-performing teams.