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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Quick takeaways
Effective team performance relies on intentional design, including clearly defined roles and shared objectives, rather than solely on team dynamics.
Shared experience among team members fosters better communication and cooperation, leading to improved performance over mere individual talent.
Deep dives
The Underdog Journey
The U.S. men's hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics was initially viewed as an underdog against the experienced Soviet team, which had a strong track record of success. Faced with overwhelming odds, the U.S. team focused not on winning but on making it to the medal round, fostering a rallying spirit among teammates. As they began to win unexpected matches, confidence grew within the group, leading them to ultimately face the Soviet team for the gold medal. This transformation from underdog status to genuine contenders instilled a collective belief that played a crucial role in their victory.
The Importance of Team Design
Effective team performance is heavily influenced by solid design rather than just team dynamics or relationships. The conditions set before a team even begins working together, such as clearly defined roles, shared objectives, and stable membership, contribute significantly to their success. This concept is exemplified in the U.S. hockey team's formation, which included players with prior shared experiences that fueled their ability to coordinate and perform under pressure. Thus, intentional team design is essential for creating the right environment that fosters high performance and collaboration.
Shared Experience Over Individual Expertise
Contrary to popular belief, assembling a team of highly experienced individuals does not guarantee better performance; instead, shared experience among team members is more critical. Successful teams often have members who have previously trained or played together, leading to improved communication and understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. In the context of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, many players had previous relationships and experiences, which facilitated better teamwork despite their relative lack of overall experience. This reinforces the idea that a cohesive and familiar group can often outperform a collection of individual star players.
The Role of Shared Responsibility and Mission
Emphasizing a common mission and shared responsibility among team members can be more impactful than fostering personal relationships. The U.S. hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, instilled a sense of collective responsibility, reminding players that the team’s performance reflected on their commitment to representing their country. This focus on shared goals led to higher cohesion and performance, as players recognized the importance of working together rather than prioritizing individual accolades. By highlighting the goal above personal interests, teams can achieve greater success and a more unified approach to their objectives.
Too many teams are less than the sum of their parts, and building a great team requires more than just picking an all-star roster or doing trust falls. Adam dives into the hard-hitting research on what makes teams work — with members of the “Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey team and organizational behavior professor Anita Woolley. You’ll also hear some special tape from Adam’s late mentor Richard Hackman, a leading expert on teams. Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts
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