I went to see the new Thunderbolts* movie this weekend expecting explosions and superhero showdowns. And while there was plenty of action, what I didn’t anticipate was the emotional rollercoaster I ended up on. Tears were shed (unexpectedly!), and even more surprisingly, I found myself reflecting deeply on the core of my work: helping organizations build stronger, more cohesive teams.

The Thunderbolts*, a ragtag group if ever there was one, were far from a model of team effectiveness at the outset. Yet, as the story unfolded, something remarkable happened. They began to build trust, hesitantly at first, but genuinely nonetheless. They learned to identify and rely on each other’s unique strengths, compensating for individual weaknesses. And when the stakes were highest, they supported one another through thick and thin.

Witnessing their journey, even in a fictional context, served as a powerful reminder of why the work I do is so vital. Whether it’s through my Take Back Your Time corporate coaching, where we focus on individual effectiveness and collaborative workflows, or at Equity Commons, where we leverage immersive Virtual Reality to cultivate empathy and enhance communication within teams, the underlying goal is the same: to help groups of individuals function as cohesive, supportive units.

The Thunderbolts* may not have followed any traditional team-building exercises, but their journey highlighted the fundamental elements of a strong team: trust, leveraging strengths, and mutual support. It’s these very elements that I strive to cultivate in the real-world teams I work with across countless industries. So, thank you, Thunderbolts*, for the unexpected reminder of the power and importance of team cohesion.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss how I can help your organization build more cohesive teams.