THE DREAM TEAM
Cohesion , bonding and focus
Creating a dream team seems simple on paper ; “ hire smart people and get out of their way ” as the quote goes . However , the reality is often more complex .
A high-functioning team needs to be cohesive , bonded and focussed . They need to operate in a setting of trust and be able to communicate clearly and openly . It also probably helps if they like each other .
Getting a team of skilled individuals to function as something greater than the sum of their parts takes strategy , effort and patience . At Interaction we have several “ dream teams ” working on high-pressure fast-turnaround projects . Here ’ s what we ’ ve learned :
Don ’ t underestimate the power of rituals Relationships are formed by time and intensity . You might form a bond with someone because you banded together to survive being attacked by a pack of wolves for a night . Or you may form a bond with someone because you have a chat with them at the coffee machine for five minutes a day for two years - and those bonds may be equal in strength .
Rituals are a powerful way to form connections over time . At Interaction , we have weekly smoothie mornings , regular bar nights , a variety of “ beyond the bar ” activities and CSR days , driven by our Ministry of Action .
All these touchpoints are rituals , designed to bring our team together in a variety of ways .
Be explicit about your vision A team needs a purpose . Without a clear goal , a team is just a bunch of people looking at each other .
It ’ s essential your team knows the direction of travel , what organisational success looks like and the role individuals play in achieving that success . We outline our strategy at the beginning of each year , with quarterly updates and monthly check-ins to ensure everyone knows how they can contribute and where their focus should be .
Hear clearly Unheard feedback festers in all sorts of ways , turning into resentment , apathy or toxicity . We have several channels through which Actioneers can ask questions , raise issues and report concerns , either publicly or anonymously .
Questions raised are addressed regularly , no matter what they ’ re about . We use regular pulse surveys as a cultural “ temperature check ” and court criticism and negative feedback in order to address it transparently .
Have a shared enemy A mutual enemy really brings people together . Ours is boring , outdated offices . Yours may differ .
Toby Brown , Interaction
For more info : www . interaction . uk . com
Does your dream team deserve better ?
Creating a dream team seems simple on paper ; “ hire smart people and get out of their way ”. However , the reality is often more complex – a high-functioning team needs to be cohesive , bonded and focused . A shared workspace is a key weapon in your team ’ s arsenal - a place to communicate , create and innovate together .
Put an end to office apathy ; get in touch with Interaction today .
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