Team Building with C.A.R.E.
4 essential principles that can make or break a team - no trust falls required!
What comes to mind when you think of “team building”?
As a former HR leader, I’ll admit… even I used to cringe a little. Trust falls, awkward virtual happy hours, and those “what would you bring to a deserted island” icebreakers. Sure, the deserted island part sounds appealing right about now, but let’s be real - team building needs a serious refresh.
With the rise of remote and hybrid work, a growing lack of trust in organizations, and mounting burnout, many teams are struggling to stay connected and inspired. It’s a recipe for disengagement, disconnection, and flat out dysfunction.
In a world where the universal need to be seen and heard often goes unmet, I really believe we just need to learn how to CARE a bit more. This idea led me to develop a framework I now teach to organizations and individuals. By focusing on Communication, Awareness, Recognition, and Empathy (C.A.R.E.), we can cultivate skills that transform our interactions, strengthen connections, and create spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
I’ll break down what C.A.R.E. is, why it matters, and how it can revolutionize the way we build teams. Keep reading to explore why it’s time to CARE a little more!
What is C.A.R.E.
The C.A.R.E. framework was born from the challenges I’ve repeatedly seen throughout my HR career and coaching journey. While Communication, Awareness, and Empathy are widely recognized as critical skills, I enhanced this framework by adding Recognition as a key pillar. Over the years, I’ve learned that recognizing achievements, both big and small, is often the missing piece that drives connection, engagement, and inspires motivation. This intentional addition reflects my belief in celebrating not just what we accomplish, but also the effort and growth behind those wins.
These four pillars - Communication, Awareness, Recognition, and Empathy - aren’t just workplace skills; they shape how we navigate life as a whole. The idea that we can “leave our feelings at the door” or separate our work and personal selves is a myth. The reality is, we’re the same person at work and at home no matter how hard we try to compartmentalize. Learning how to communicate, stay aware, recognize others and ourselves, and practice empathy bridges this gap, allowing us to show up authentically and fully in all areas of our lives.
To bring C.A.R.E. to life, I encourage teams to reflect on four transformative questions that can infuse these principles into daily interactions and personal growth. Let’s dive into each pillar and explore how it can reshape the way we connect and authentically lead.
Communication: Active Listening & Understanding Styles
Question #1: What might be getting in the way of clear communication?
Let’s be honest: most of us are not great listeners. The distractions of modern life, both external and internal, make active listening a real challenge. But active listening is the cornerstone of meaningful and effective communication. The key word here is active - being fully present, engaged in the conversation, and listening for not just the words but also the non-verbal cues, emotions, and energy behind them.
Many of us are also unaware of how our communication styles impact interactions. Remember that game of telephone - where messages shift and change as they’re passed along from person to person? We often assume others communicate or interpret things the same way we do. They don’t! Everyone has their unique communication style, shaped by their preferences, experiences, and perspectives. This is where tools like the DiSC assessment can be a game-changer. As an authorized DiSC partner, I’ve seen how it helps individuals develop a shared language and learn how to flex their styles to connect more effectively with others, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger relationships.
Asking yourself, “what might be getting in the way of clear communication?” can be transformative! Whenever conflict or confusion arises, start with this question. It’s often the immediate first step to resolution.
Awareness: Understanding Ourselves and Others
Question #2: What filters should I be aware of in myself and others?
Awareness comes in two essential forms: self-awareness and social awareness. Have you ever wondered, “Why don’t they see it the way I do?” Because they don’t! We all have individual filters and experiences, which shape how we perceive the world. That’s why two people can witness the same event but walk away with completely different stories of the “truth”.
As a First-Generation leader, I’ve often felt the tension between the different “realities” we can all feel in the workplace. Learning to understand and honor my own perspective - while appreciating others - has been a pivotal part of my journey. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about this work and helping to foster awareness. I know what it’s like to feel unseen and unheard, and I also know the power of creating space for genuine connection and understanding.
It takes work to raise our own self-awareness, but it’s critical. We need to first understand our own biases, filters, and assumptions before we can truly connect with others. That’s when we can start building meaningful relationships and bridge the gaps between differing perspectives.
Recognition: Celebrating Wins Big and Small
Question #3: How can I recognize their efforts and mine?
In a culture obsessed with “what’s next,” we’ve lost the art of recognition. Whether it’s celebrating others or acknowledging our own achievements, recognizing both big and small wins fosters motivation and builds stronger relationships. Yet, many of us struggle with recognizing our own efforts, often saying it’s “uncomfortable” or “strange.” Let’s reframe that: recognition isn’t about “bragging” or self-promotion; it’s about honoring and giving visibility to what we’ve accomplished and what’s possible!
During my time in HR leadership, I saw firsthand how powerful recognition can be. Employees thrived when their contributions were acknowledged and disengaged when they weren’t. As a manager, I’ll admit I was often so focused on the next goal that I overlooked opportunities to celebrate wins. But once I understood the profound impact of recognition, I made it a priority to celebrate my team’s achievements, no matter how small. The ripple effect on morale and performance was undeniable.
That said, learning to recognize my own efforts was a much harder skill to develop. It took time and intention, but I came to realize that self-recognition is just as vital. It’s about honoring the effort and growth behind every success.
Empathy: Moving Beyond “Walking in Their Shoes”
Question #4: How can I lead with curiosity and show support?
Empathy is often described as “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes,” but I’ve always found this metaphor a bit lacking. Shoes don’t always fit, literally or metaphorically, because each person’s experiences and needs are unique. True empathy isn’t about just imagining what it’s like to be someone else; it’s also about leading with authentic curiosity and taking it one step further to show support. Ask questions, listen deeply, and offer meaningful support without assuming you fully understand someone else’s perspective.
In a recent training, I was told that empathy was “soft”. I couldn’t disagree more. Empathy is one of the hardest leadership skills to master, but when you do, it completely transforms and up-levels your leadership. It’s no coincidence that the most admired leaders are the ones who approach every interaction with curiosity, a genuine desire to understand, and a commitment to intentional action.
Why I Care About Teaching C.A.R.E.
I teach this unique version of the C.A.R.E. model because I’ve seen firsthand how these principles can make or break a team. Based on coaching principles and my own experiences, this framework is more than just another acronym. It’s a way to build stronger connections and create environments where people feel truly heard and valued.
I focus on authentic leadership because our personal and professional lives are deeply interconnected. Challenges at home inevitably spill into work, and vice versa. I’ve seen the incredible impact of empowering people to bring their whole selves to the table. When teams learn how to C.A.R.E. and embrace their complexities, they achieve better results, foster deeper trust, and unlock more authentic leadership.
This is why I’m so passionate and dedicated to helping others develop these skills, especially those who, like me, have ever felt out of place or like they didn’t belong.
Ready to Learn More?
If this resonates with you, let’s connect. Whether you’re curious about coaching or want to bring these principles into your organization, I’d love to help you and your team thrive. Let’s schedule a call and explore the possibilities!
Also as far as I and ChatGPT know - while variations of the C.A.R.E. framework already exist, my emphasis on “Recognition” sets this version apart, especially for today’s challenges. Let me know if you see this anywhere else!
From my buddy ChatGPT:
Regarding C.A.R.E.'s Origin
The acronym C.A.R.E. is commonly used in various contexts, often standing for similar concepts (like in caregiving or customer service), but your specific iteration (Communication, Awareness, Recognition, Empathy) appears to be uniquely enhanced by the addition of Recognition. Many frameworks omit explicit focus on recognition, so your inclusion of it adds a distinct and valuable perspective. You’ve effectively tailored the acronym to align with your coaching principles and experiences, making it uniquely yours.