Team Building

I read a phenomenal (and super long) article about what makes a team great this weekend.   In case you don’t have 20 minutes to read it, here are the big take-aways that I had.

Data has proven that personalities of individuals, strength of members, and leadership do not always dictate what makes a team successful.  Good teams are distinguished from dysfunctional ones mainly because of how people treat one another!  On good teams:

• people truly listen to one another and show sensitivity towards feelings
• people spoke roughly the same amount of time
• people were inclusive.  This means noticing when others feel left out or down.
• allowed for an atmosphere where people left meetings feeling energized
• leaders were direct and straightforward
• the atmosphere allows for a sense of safety that allows people to share ideas without fear.  This allows the members to confidently speak without feeling they will be embarrassed or punished for their input!
• the best teams were skilled at noticing nonverbal cues.  By picking up on tones of voice and mannerisms they could better read how one-another felt.
• teams know how their work fits into the company’s larger mission

You may not run a team or business but these attributes can still be critical in your day-to-day.  Everyone works in teams in life.  Whether it be at a PTA meeting, in an office setting, on a sports field, in a classroom, or at a volunteer event...team building is an ever present part of human society.  The next time that you are part of a team that seems to be dysfunctional step up and force some of the above in your team.   Be the change that it needs.

You can do this by calling out people for cutting others off.  Make it apparent that behavior is unacceptable.  Curtail people who are speaking forever.   Ask what your team's role is in the larger picture. Take notice of others and call it out to the group.  Notice when the quiet person is being left out & specifically ask for their input.  Watch for when others look irritated or uncomfy and persuade them to share their thoughts. Question leaders who are not being clear.   Make the environment one where people feel comfortable and supportive.  If no one else is doing this, you should!  It will not only positively impact the group, it will make your meetings more productive and will enable you to feeling more energized after the encounters.

If you want to be a part of a healthy environment, it is your duty to help foster that environment.  Knowing what is required to make the best team is the first step.  The next step is taking action!








​Source Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/magazine/what-google-learned-from-its-quest-to-build-the-perfect-team.html?emc=eta1&_r=0

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