Worklife with Adam Grant How to design teams that don’t suck
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Oct 8, 2024 
Anita Woolley, an expert on team dynamics, and Richard Hackman, Adam Grant’s mentor and a leading authority on team effectiveness, join Mike Arruzzioni, the captain of the 'Miracle on Ice' hockey team. They explore how the right team design and shared goals can drive high performance. Insights from the miraculous 1980 Olympic victory reveal that success hinges on collaboration and clear roles. The trio also emphasizes the importance of reflection and a supportive environment for fostering team cohesion and individual growth.
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US Hockey Team's Shared History
- The US hockey team's success partially stemmed from pre-existing shared experience within the team.
- Many players had played together previously under Coach Herb Brooks or in other teams, creating a foundation of familiarity.
Leverage "Lift Outs"
- When building new teams, leverage "lift outs", recruiting intact, pre-existing teams.
- This preserves valuable shared experience and accelerates team performance.
Mission over Social Cohesion
- Mission cohesion, a shared commitment to the goal, outweighs social cohesion.
- Shared responsibility for the mission is critical, not simply how well team members get along.