One of our favorite fall traditions is visiting a local farm to take on the challenge of a corn maze. This year, Lily and I teamed up to make our way through the winding paths, and it didn’t take long to realize how much teamwork plays a role in finding your way. As we laughed through wrong turns and celebrated small victories, the experience reminded me of the importance of collaboration—whether in a maze or in business.

Mapping Out a Plan

When we first entered the corn maze, Lily excitedly wanted to dart down the nearest path, but I reminded her of the importance of having a plan. Just like in business, tackling a challenge is much easier when everyone on the team agrees on a strategy. We decided to approach the maze by keeping track of landmarks and making note of where we’d been. It wasn’t perfect, but having a shared game plan gave us a sense of direction.

In the workplace, this translates to setting clear goals and outlining steps to achieve them. Whether it’s launching a new project or solving a complex problem, starting with a shared strategy ensures the whole team is aligned and working toward the same destination.

Communication is Key

As we worked our way through the maze, Lily kept pointing out potential paths while I helped her assess which ones seemed most promising. We quickly learned that talking through each decision made the journey much smoother. Without clear communication, we would’ve ended up retracing our steps far more often.

In business, open communication is just as critical. Whether it’s between team members, departments, or leadership, sharing information and ideas helps avoid unnecessary setbacks and keeps everyone moving forward efficiently. Encouraging team members to speak up and actively listen to one another creates a stronger foundation for success.

Embracing Different Strengths

Lily and I brought different strengths to our maze adventure. She had sharp eyes for spotting small details, like hidden markers, while I focused on the bigger picture, helping us think about the overall layout of the maze. By combining our strengths, we worked together to make steady progress.

This is a great reminder for businesses to recognize and embrace the unique strengths each team member brings to the table. A team that values diverse perspectives and skills is far better equipped to navigate challenges and achieve its goals.

Celebrating Wins Along the Way

Every time we successfully avoided a dead end or found a key checkpoint, Lily’s excitement was contagious. She reminded me that celebrating small wins keeps the energy and motivation high. Even when we took a wrong turn, we didn’t let it get us down; we treated it as part of the fun.

In business, acknowledging progress—whether it’s completing a milestone, solving a problem, or achieving a small success—goes a long way in maintaining morale. Celebrations don’t have to be big; even a simple “great job” or team shoutout can make a difference.

Learning from Wrong Turns

Of course, not every decision in the maze was the right one, and we found ourselves in a few dead ends. But instead of feeling frustrated, we used those moments to regroup, reassess, and adjust our approach. Wrong turns weren’t failures; they were learning opportunities.

In business, setbacks and missteps are inevitable, but they’re also valuable. Teams that learn from their mistakes and adapt their strategies are better equipped to navigate future challenges.

Conclusion

Our trip through the corn maze wasn’t just a fun fall outing—it was a great reminder of how teamwork can make all the difference in tackling challenges. From setting a plan to embracing each other’s strengths and celebrating small wins, the lessons we learned in the maze are just as applicable in business as they are in life.

As we move into the season of gratitude, I’m thankful for the time to reflect on these moments with Lily and for the reminder that with teamwork, even the most winding paths can lead to success. Here’s to taking on the mazes—both literal and figurative—with patience, collaboration, and a sense of adventure.

WRITTEN BY

David Behney, Founder & CEO

David is the Founder & CEO and is elevating business operations requires a strategic approach focused on building a solid foundation, embracing technology, fostering a culture of learning, listening to customer feedback, and prioritizing the customer experience.