Strong leaders know when to shine and when to step back.

In this post I share a team building event I created to help remind us when to lead, when to support, and why shared success is the sweetest outcome.

Cookies.

This month, I had the privilege of hosting a board retreat as the president of the board for a nonprofit I’ve been part of for the last few years. It was our first time gathering as a new team to meet, align, goal-set and bake.

I developed a team-building event for the retreat: a “Secret Ingredient Showdown,” a baking challenge with a twist. Each person selected a surprise ingredient, and baking teams had to use all but one in their final creation. From pretzel bits and marshmallows to espresso powder and potato chips, the combinations were as creative as the people in the room.

We held the event at The Ballard House, a local nonprofit, and philanthropy partner to our organization, that provides free lodging for individuals and families traveling to Houston for critical medical care. Their generous spirit and welcoming kitchen gave us the perfect setting and when we finished, we left behind trays of cookies for their residents to enjoy.

As we baked, laughed, and problem-solved, something deeper emerged: a reminder that this year, our success as a board won’t come from working in silos. It will come from blending our unique strengths—our “secret leadership ingredients”—to create something greater together.

Sometimes, your creativity will be someone else’s structure. Someone’s calm will balance another’s boldness. And when we lead with trust, heart, and a little bit of butter… we’re capable of truly meaningful impact.

Here’s to a year of shared leadership, sweet victories, and a whole lot of collaboration. Cheers! Where’s the milk?