“What Works: Team Network Effect” with Rob Cross, Senior Vice President of Research at i4cp and Katheryn Brekken, Senior Research Analyst at i4cp
Oct 22, 2024
auto_awesome
In this insightful conversation, Rob Cross, a leading figure in organizational networks, and Katheryn Brekken, a talent development specialist, explore how to overcome collaboration overload in teams. They reveal that 80% of teams underperform due to common dysfunctions like misalignment and priority overload. Highlighting case studies from Roche and Supercell, they discuss the importance of ‘precision collaboration’ and a high-trust environment for fostering effective teamwork. Additionally, they share strategies for HR to enhance team dynamics and adapt to evolving work cultures.
Effective team collaboration can be significantly improved by addressing dysfunctions like misalignment and prioritizing workload management.
Building a high-trust environment is essential, as dependability, competence, and benevolence are critical components for team success.
Deep dives
Shift in Team Dynamics
The nature of teams and teamwork has undergone significant changes, moving away from traditional models that emphasize smaller, co-located groups focused on singular tasks. Current environments often see individuals assigned to multiple teams simultaneously, leading to scattered attention and diluted focus on mission and goals. Survey results reveal that a notable percentage of teams now exceed ten members, with a large portion of interactions occurring in virtual or hybrid formats. This transformation necessitates a reevaluation of how teams are structured and managed, highlighting the need for new approaches to enhance collaboration and effectiveness.
Collaboration Overload and Its Impacts
Many teams face collaboration overload, with data indicating that eight out of ten teams underperform due to various collaborative dysfunctions such as misalignment and priority overload. Misalignment occurs when team members have a different understanding of goals or responsibilities, often resulting in wasted time and frustration. Priority overload, characterized by competing demands from various stakeholders, can overwhelm teams and hinder productivity. Understanding and addressing these dysfunctions is crucial for improving team performance and can lead to significant increases in overall effectiveness.
Implementing Precision Collaboration Practices
The concept of precision collaboration practices has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing team effectiveness in the modern workplace. These practices focus on intentional behaviors that foster high-quality connections among team members, leading to improved market performance. Key components of precision collaboration include integrating new team members efficiently, distributing workload evenly, and maintaining robust external connections. Companies that prioritize these practices can achieve remarkable improvements in collaboration and productivity by ensuring that team dynamics are strategically managed and supported.
Trust as the Foundation of Team Success
Trust plays a pivotal role in team dynamics, with research identifying dependability, competence, and benevolence as the three critical components of trust in organizational settings. While benevolence-based trust is widely recognized for fostering psychological safety, the study emphasizes that dependability and competence-based trust are equally important for team effectiveness. Leaders must focus on setting clear expectations, building accountability, and encouraging open communication to foster these trust types. By understanding the nuanced aspects of trust, teams can better navigate interpersonal relationships and enhance overall performance.