Team “Figure It Out”: Why Strong Teams Make Stronger Work

We like to call our little crew Team Figure It Out—mostly because that’s what we do. Curveball client issue? We figure it out. Fire drill at 4 p.m.? We figure it out. Something no one has ever seen before in the history of Property Tax? Somehow, some way… we figure it out.

Our work can be intense, fast-paced, and unpredictable, so building a team that actually functions—and dare we say, thrives—has become one of the most valuable things we’ve done.

This blog is a look into how our team was built, what makes it work, and why strong teamwork makes work not just better, but more human.

Why Teamwork Matters More Than We Think

When you take the time to build a real team—one built on trust, respect, and grace—it pays dividends. We’ve only officially been a team for about a year, but the rapport built in that short time has already carried us through countless challenges.

One example: Austin once left for an anniversary trip during a major client crisis. Instead of panicking or texting him in a panic (tempting), the team came together, handled the issue, and got it resolved—before he even knew about it. That’s the power of a team built on trust, not dependency.

Respect + Grace = A Strong Foundation

When we think about what makes a team actually function, two words always rise to the top:

Respect.

The kind that creates a foundation strong enough to hold tough conversations, different work styles, and moments of stress.

Grace.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all humans with different histories, personalities, and communication styles.

Grace looks like:

• Letting someone process before forcing a conversation
• Not assuming malice when someone’s having an off day
• Understanding the difference between venting and attacking
• Giving people space to be themselves

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Grace makes everything else easier—honesty, communication, collaboration, and even conflict.

Open Communication (With Space to Breathe)

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about timing.

It’s tempting to hash something out instantly, especially when emotions are high. But sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is say:

“I see you. When you’re ready, I’m here.”

Giving one another time to process leads to clearer conversations, fewer misunderstandings, and a lot less stress.

Sometimes all someone needs is five minutes to vent, decompress, or talk through a problem out loud. Not everything needs a solution—sometimes people just need a teammate.

Avoiding the Spiral (a Shared Skill…)

We both have something in common: we can spiral. Quickly.

Which is why we’ve learned to pull each other out when we see it happening.

That means:

• Choosing positivity without slipping into toxic positivity
• Refusing to join the “complaining spiral” that workplace environments can easily slip into
• Reminding each other of the bigger picture
• Finding one good thing when everything feels chaotic

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Positivity isn’t about pretending everything’s fine—it’s about not letting negativity take over.

Understanding Strengths (and Actually Using Them)

A strong team doesn’t mean everyone knows everything. It means everyone knows someone who knows something.

Austin can scrub data fast, but formatting things into a polished, client-ready package? That’s more of a Cailey strength. So during a particularly chaotic season—think returns, protests, and a client needing last-minute presentation-ready data—Austin leaned on Cailey to transform the raw information into something sharp and professional.

That freed him to focus on a complicated protest that required his full attention.

This is teamwork:

• Recognizing strengths.
• Leaning on each other.
• Giving people space to shine.

Every Team Needs a Sandra

We can’t talk about teamwork without acknowledging our Ops Queen, Sandra. She’s our calm in chaos, our objective third party, and our “wise one” who always sees the situation clearly without judgment.

Not every team is lucky enough to have a Sandra—but every team needs a Sandra. Someone who can:

• Provide perspective
• Mediate without taking sides
• Offer clarity when emotions are high
• Speak truth kindly

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Her role—and the trust behind it—was only possible because of the foundation built from day one.

Teamwork Isn’t Automatic. It’s Intentional.

You don’t just fall into a great team.

You build it.

Intentionally. Slowly. Over shared projects, stressful deadlines, awkward first conversations, and mutual willingness to grow.

Some teammates click instantly. Others take time. But regardless, building a strong team requires:

• Time
• Patience
• Curiosity
• The willingness to learn people’s quirks
• And a whole lot of grace

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When you invest in that? Work gets easier. Stress gets lighter. Clients get better service. And you get a team you actually enjoy working with.

Team “Figure It Out” for the Win

At the end of the day, teamwork is why we’re able to handle the fires, the last-minute requests, the crazy deadlines, and the never-ending surprises our industry throws at us.

• We’re not perfect, but we are intentional.
• We’re supportive.
• We’re positive (most days).
• And we always, always figure it out.
• Because that’s what good teams do.

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Penny for Your Thoughts

Collaboration makes the dream work—but it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. What’s one small habit, gesture, or practice your team does that helps everyone work better together?

Co-written by Austin Hixson and Cailey Caviness

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Check out the podcast version here: