Yes Virginia, There IS an "I" in Team
In this playful leadership lesson, Santa shares his wisdom with Virginia about different personality styles and how his reindeer team embodies the unique strengths that make teamwork magical. Together, they achieve incredible things - a lesson for us all about embracing individuality to achieve common goals. We hope you enjoy this fun take on Everything DiSC® and wish you magical holiday season!
Dear Santa,
My mummy and daddy say there is no “I” in team. I don’t quite understand this because Rudolph is the bestest reindeer of the whole bunch.
P.S. All I want for Christmas is for my brother to stop fighting with me.
Love, Virginia
Dear Virginia,
Your parents are right, there's no "I" in the spelling of the word team. However, when it comes to teamwork, each individual plays an important role. A team is made up of individuals, each with unique strengths, working toward a shared goal.
Even on my reindeer team, every member has a special strength that helps us deliver presents to children around the world. Let me explain using four letters you might already know: D, i, S, C. 
Dasher is the fastest reindeer. When time is running short, Dasher inspires urgency and keeps us moving. He's a great example of a Dominance (or D-Style) personality - focused, determined, and ready to charge ahead to meet our goals.
Vixen is known for being a trickster, always making us laugh. But don't be fooled - Vixen's creativity and ability to think outside the box help us solve tough problems. Vixen is our influence (or i-Style) personality, always encouraging collaboration and bringing energy to the team.
Comet has a steady and calming presence. If any of us are upset, Comet is the one to listen and help us find harmony again. His Steadiness (or S-Style) personality is key to keeping the team together and fostering understanding.
And there there's Rudolph. While he's the most famous, he's also incredibly detail-oriented. Rudolph plans our route to ensure we're efficient, safe, and on time. His Conscientiousness (or C-Style) personality shines through his meticulous work - and, of course, his bright red nose makes him a stellar navigator!
So, Virginia, you see - there is an "I" in team. It's the individuals, like my reindeer, who bring their unique strengths to make the magic happen.
Now, let's talk about your family.
What strengths does your brother have that make him a great teammate? How can you appreciate and encourage each other's contributions? When every member of a team recognizes and values one another, the whole team becomes stronger.
You've both been very good this year, and I'm so proud of how you're learning to work together as a family. On Christmas Eve, I'll be stopping by with a special give for you and your brother!
In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about how personality styles can help teams communicate better, work together, and achieve great things, I recommend exploring Everything DiSC. It's a powerful tool that helps build stronger relationships and make teamwork even more magical!
Ho Ho Ho! Love, Santa
*This article was updated and reposted from December 2020.
LISA HOLDEN ROVERS is the Founder of Workplace Matters. She helps leaders have conversations that matter—building stronger teams and thriving workplace cultures. Through proven, practical coaching approaches and tools like Everything DiSC®, The Five Behaviors®, and Working Genius, Lisa equips leaders with the clarity, confidence, and commitment to grow their influence and elevate their teams.
Grow as a Leader and Thrive as a Team!
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