Team Success - Breakthrough Leadership
John Cottrell

The CEO’s Role in Facilitating Team Success

How Leaders Can “Hold the Space” for Their Teams to Thrive

Leadership has long been defined by a CEO’s ability to guide strategy, manage resources, and drive growth. But in today’s workplace, one of the most critical and transformative roles a CEO plays is creating an environment—or “holding the space”—for team success. This concept of “holding the space” extends beyond traditional leadership, emphasising emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and strategic alignment to empower teams to perform at their best.

Here we will explore what it means for a CEO to “hold the space,” why this practice is vital for team success, and how CEOs can effectively embody this role to foster a high-performing organisational culture.

What Does It Mean to “Hold the Space”?

“Holding the space” is a concept borrowed from coaching and therapy, which describes a leader’s ability to create an environment where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to do their best work. For a CEO, it involves striking a balance between providing guidance and allowing autonomy, ensuring that the team has the resources, trust, and clarity needed to succeed.

Key elements of “holding the space” include:

  • Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, taking risks, and acknowledging mistakes without fear of ridicule or retribution.
  • Empowerment: Encouraging team members to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and innovate.
  • Alignment: Ensuring the team is aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and goals while leaving room for creativity and initiative.
  • Supportive Presence: Being available to guide, mentor, and provide resources when needed without micromanaging.

The Importance of a CEO’s Role in Team Success

Psychological Safety Drives Performance

Research by Google’s Project Aristotle underscores the importance of psychological safety in team success. Teams with a high level of trust perform better because members feel free to express ideas and take risks without fear of negative consequences.

As the top leader, the CEO sets the tone for psychological safety. By modelling openness, humility, and active listening, CEOs encourage the same behaviour across the organisation.

Empowering Teams Boosts Innovation

Teams that are given autonomy to solve problems and take initiative are more likely to come up with innovative solutions. CEOs who focus on empowerment help teams unleash their creative potential, leading to breakthroughs in products, services, and processes.

Strategic Alignment Ensures Focus

Without alignment, even the most talented teams can become disjointed, working on priorities that do not support the company’s overarching goals. The CEO’s role in maintaining clarity and alignment ensures that every team’s efforts contribute to the organisation’s success.

CEOs Shape Culture

The behaviours and values exemplified by a CEO cascade down to the entire organisation. A leader who “holds the space” for collaboration, inclusion, and growth creates a culture that mirrors these qualities, leading to higher employee satisfaction and retention.

How CEOs Can “Hold the Space” for Their Teams

Lead by Example

The CEO’s actions speak louder than words. To “hold the space,” a CEO must:

  • Model Vulnerability: Share challenges and lessons learned to normalise growth through failure.
  • Practice Empathy: Actively listen to team concerns and show understanding.
  • Demonstrate Resilience: Approach setbacks with a solutions-focused mindset.

Build and Communicate a Clear Vision

A compelling vision provides teams with a sense of purpose. CEOs should:

  • Articulate the Vision: Clearly communicate the company’s long-term goals and the role each team plays in achieving them.
  • Reinforce the Mission: Regularly remind teams of the “why” behind their work to maintain motivation and alignment.

Foster Trust and Collaboration

Trust is the foundation of team success. To build trust, CEOs can:

  • Be Transparent: Share information openly to build credibility.
  • Encourage Collaboration: Break down silos and promote cross-functional teamwork.
  • Recognise Contributions: Publicly acknowledge team achievements to foster a culture of appreciation.

Invest in Resources and Development

Teams need tools, training, and opportunities to thrive. CEOs can:

  • Provide Resources: Ensure teams have access to the latest technology, tools, and infrastructure.
  • Encourage Learning: Support professional development through workshops, mentoring, and certifications.

Create a Feedback-Driven Culture

Feedback is essential for growth, yet it requires an environment of safety and trust. CEOs should:

  • Solicit Feedback: Actively seek input from employees to understand their needs and concerns.
  • Act on Feedback: Demonstrate that employee suggestions are valued by implementing changes where possible.

Balance Accountability with Empathy

While it’s important to hold teams accountable, CEOs must also show empathy. This involves:

  • Setting Clear Expectations: Define performance standards and outcomes.
  • Offering Support: Provide coaching and guidance to help teams meet their goals.
  • Recognising Human Factors: Understand that challenges such as burnout or personal issues can impact performance and offer appropriate support.

The Challenges of “Holding the Space”

While the benefits are clear, “holding the space” is not without challenges:

  • Balancing Control and Autonomy: CEOs must resist the urge to micromanage while ensuring teams remain aligned with organisational goals.
  • Time Constraints: Leading a company involves countless demands, making it difficult to invest time in team dynamics.
  • Navigating Resistance: Not all team members may embrace a culture of openness and feedback initially, requiring patience and persistence.

The Future of Leadership: Prioritising Team Success

As the workplace evolves, the role of a CEO is shifting from command-and-control leadership to facilitation and empowerment. Today’s most effective CEOs are those who prioritise the success of their teams, creating environments where individuals can flourish, collaborate, and innovate.

By “holding the space,” CEOs not only drive team success but also build resilient, adaptive organisations capable of thriving in an ever-changing world. For leaders ready to embrace this transformative approach, the rewards—for employees, the organisation, and their own legacy—are immeasurable.

For more information on Team Success contact Breakthrough Leadership.