How 'teaming' can help change teams thrive

As organisations face efficiency and profit challenges, there are more demands being placed on teams. Of course technology plays a big part in efficient delivery of products and services by teams, and this has seen the evolution of agile ways of working. However when looking to introduce change, efficiency takes a different meaning. It is more about the effectiveness of the individuals coming together to work on delivering it. How can they be more efficient and what can they do to become a high performing team? This is where the concept of 'teaming' comes into it. In agile frameworks the result of good teaming is improved velocity, in change it is achieving the outcomes you desired in a shorter period of time. But what does this concept of 'teaming' actually involve? And how does it contribute to creating high-performing teams?

What is Teaming?

Teaming is not just about grouping people together and hoping for the best. It's a dynamic process where individuals come together, often from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, to collaborate and achieve shared goals. This is a conscious effort and the following aspects are considered when forming or adding onto the team. Amy Edmondson, a leading expert in the field, describes teaming as "teamwork on the fly". It emphasises adaptability, continuous learning, and the integration of individual expertise. 

Key Concepts of Teaming

  1. Psychological Safety: At the heart of effective teaming lies psychological safety, a belief that one can express themselves without fear of punishment or humiliation. In a psychologically safe environment, team members are more likely to share ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes. This open communication fosters innovation and quick problem resolution.

  2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Teaming often brings together experts from various disciplines to tackle complex challenges. In a change context you often have subject matter experts who are representatives from the business, change managers, change leaders, project or program managers, technology leads, training leads and business analysts. A wide range of skills all coming together focused on realising the benefits of the change. When team members come together and respect and value each other's expertise, they can integrate diverse perspectives, leading to richer solutions.

  3. Shared Goals and Vision: For teaming to be effective, everyone must be on the same page. A clear, shared vision ensures that individual efforts are channeled towards a common direction. Where there may be confusion about terminology, or where assumptions are being made, a team that is 'teaming' well will be able to identify this through constructive challenge and re-clarify the vision if needed.

  4. Continuous Learning: High-performing teams embrace a culture of continuous learning. They see mistakes as learning opportunities and are always open to refining their approach based on feedback. As there are many team members coming together and the fundamental respect is there when teaming is evident, when something doesn't do as well as the team would like, there isn't a reversion to blame but a reflective conversation on what the root cause was to ensure if there are any course corrections needed from the team's perspective that there is a willingness from the group to do just that.

  5. Flexible Roles: In traditional teams, roles might be rigid. In teaming, however, roles can be fluid. Members might take on different roles based on the task at hand, ensuring that the best skills are applied at the right time. This also ensures there isn't a 'one person' dependency.

  6. Valuing diversity: Whether it be diversity of thought. Explore diversity of thought and how you can explore conscious and unconscious bias. In effective teams, the selection criteria is consciously directed to ensure diversity in all aspects when possible.

The benefits of teaming

  1. Increased innovation: When team members feel safe to share their ideas, no matter how out-of-the-box they may seem, it results in a hotbed of creativity. Different perspectives challenge the status quo, leading to innovative solutions.

  2. Accelerates Problem-Solving: In a teaming environment, problems are approached collaboratively. With a diverse set of skills and knowledge, teams can quickly brainstorm solutions and implement them.

  3. Strengthens Adaptability: Given the rapid pace of change in today's world, adaptability is crucial. Teaming fosters a culture where change is not feared but embraced. Teams become adept at adjusting to new circumstances and making the most out of them.

  4. Enhances Decision-Making: With a wide array of insights and expertise, decision-making becomes more holistic. The team considers multiple facets of an issue, leading to well-informed choices.

  5. Drives Engagement: When individuals see the value they bring to the table and know they have a voice, their engagement levels soar. Engaged employees are more dedicated, productive, and less likely to leave, adding stability and experience to the team.

Implementing Teaming 

Understanding the concepts of teaming is one thing; implementing them is another. Here's a quick guide to fostering teaming in your organisation:

  • Leadership's Role: Leaders should champion psychological safety, making it clear that every voice matters. They should encourage open communication, admitting their own mistakes, and setting a positive precedent.

  • Training: Invest in training sessions that highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous learning. Encourage team members to cross-train in different disciplines to enhance their versatility.

  • Feedback Mechanisms: Establish systems where feedback, both positive and constructive, can be shared openly. This will fuel the continuous learning ethos.

  • Celebrate Diversity: Recognise and celebrate the diverse skill sets, backgrounds, and perspectives within your team. When people feel valued, they are more likely to contribute actively.

  • Review and Refine: Periodically review how teaming is working in your organisation. Are there challenges? Are certain teams struggling more than others? Use this feedback to refine your approach.

Have a play!

The best way to see how teaming can make an impact when introducing change is to have a play with some of the concepts and watch the team dynamic change. It may have you change who is part of the team, as individuals with a growth mindset thrive in these conditions, however those who prefer to work autonomously or who may have a fixed mindset may struggle. If you are leading the team, be sure to check in with each member as the ways of working change to see how they are handling the new approach.

 

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