I had the civic duty of serving on jury duty this week – and for the second time in just over two years – I was actually selected for another case.

It ran longer than expected, but we stayed committed to being thorough and fair. What stood out most wasn’t just the case – it was the group dynamics.

Everyone in the jury showed up.
🔹 When someone hadn’t contributed in a while, we invited their perspective.
🔹 When someone accidentally spoke over another, they paused, apologized, and redirected the conversation.
🔹 We asked questions, challenged each other respectfully, and made space to listen.

This wasn’t a team with weeks of training or team-building. It was 12 strangers, operating at a surprisingly high level of collaboration and psychological safety.

It reminded me of just how powerful a group can be when everyone’s voice is valued.

I've been part of many functional and dysfunctional groups over the years. If there's one lesson this experience reinforced, it’s this:

High-performing teams don’t just speak – they listen, ask questions, and stay open.

And no… I didn’t wear a Hawaiian shirt to jury duty. Even I know when to blend in.