Unity
Unity Moment
I love good coffee. My son-in-law has perfected the process of grinding coffee beans and making fresh coffee. He has the whole setup with an espresso machine and all the barista equipment. On our recent visit with him and my daughter, he attempted to teach me how to make excellent coffee. It was a hoot! While my barista skills have a long way to go, we laughed at my attempts and enjoyed the time of just hanging out and making fresh, wonderful coffee.
I think it’s important to make memories with those we love. Specifically, it is important to laugh together. Life is full of challenges and difficult times. It is also full of opportunities for us to see and appreciate humor in our relationships. There is science behind the humors as well. Our connections deepen and our brains work better when we enjoy times of levity with each other.
Dr. Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
Most people hear the word unity and think of connection or the comfort of belonging to something greater. In leadership, unity goes further. It is not just shared tasks, but shared purpose. It means creating a space where trust and respect shape how people work together. A leader who understands this knows that strong teams are built not only through structure, but through care, genuine connection, and the belief that each voice matters.
Unity and Operational Discipline
Operational discipline depends on leaders who promote connection, trust, and shared accountability, and unity is the force that makes this possible. It is built through daily actions like creating community, fostering collaboration, practicing empathy, and developing people. This common foundation strengthens how teams communicate, solve problems, and support one another during both calm and crisis. Unity helps individuals feel seen and valued, which increases their commitment to adhering to processes, raising concerns, and stepping in to help when risk is high. Together, these habits build the foundation for safe, consistent, and high-performing operations across the plant.
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
At 3M Chem Ops, Unity can be created by focusing on four areas:
Community – Creating a culture where every person feels seen, valued, and part of something meaningful. When people feel they belong, they care more deeply about the work and the people around them.
Collaboration – Encouraging open problem-solving and shared ownership. True collaboration brings diverse perspectives together to drive stronger results and faster innovation.
Empathy – Understanding and responding to the needs and challenges of your team with fairness and compassion. Empathy creates trust, which is essential for psychological safety and team resilience.
People Development – Supporting growth and learning so employees are not only successful in their roles today but prepared for what’s ahead. Development shows investment, and investment builds commitment.
The fifth module of The 3M Chem Ops Way starts with Community. Here, you’ll learn about how to create a strong team identity, make others feel included, and connect daily work to the bigger picture. In places where safety matters, unity is what keeps people accountable. A team that sees itself as one operation holds the same standards, looks out for each other, and takes pride in the work they accomplish together.
