Wine & Wisdom Blog #2
In today’s fast-paced, complex and ever-changing work environment, the ability to work well in teams has become a vital ingredient for success. Whether at work, at home, or in recreational activities such as sports teams, choirs, or orchestras, we find ourselves participating in a diverse range of teams. We also navigate through fluid, temporary team constellations, collaborating with different people on short-term projects.
But what does it mean to work truly effectively as a team? Is being part of a team merely a description of a group of individuals with different skills working together on projects? Or should we view “teaming” as an ongoing activity? During our most recent Wine & Wisdom evening, we delved into these questions, exploring the essence of teams and the art of “teaming.”
We contemplated the concept of a team as shorthand for a gathering of individuals with diverse skills collaborating on one or more projects. Being a team can also signify a sense of belonging, a community united by a shared purpose. We wondered if we should think of a “team” as a more structured and fixed constellation, while “teaming” represents a more dynamic and flexible form of collaboration.
And so our conversation naturally flowed into the realm of what constitutes a good team. How must our relationships evolve so that we can successfully achieve our shared purpose? We reached a consensus that teams are relationship constellations fuelled by a shared purpose – one that transcends individual desires and ambitions.
Our discussion drew inspiration from Amy Edmondson’s thought-provoking book “Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate and Compete in the Knowledge Economy” (2012). Edmondson, a renowned professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, perceives teaming as “a process of collaboration that occurs over time among people who work interdependently to accomplish a shared outcome.”
Edmondson considers teaming as more than a mere buzzword: it’s a mindset and a skill set that empowers organizations to learn, innovate, and thrive in the knowledge economy. At its core, teaming revolves around collaboration, where individuals work interdependently to achieve a collective goal. Yet, as Edmondson emphasizes, teaming is not a static entity but a dynamic activity that necessitates continuous learning, adaptation and growth.
Creating a culture of psychological safety is crucial for successful teaming. It provides teams with an environment where open communication, learning and innovation can flourish. Psychological safety is not about being overly accommodating or compromising performance standards. Instead, it fosters a sense of confidence within the team, ensuring that individuals will not face embarrassment, rejection, or punishment for speaking up.
According to Edmondson, the most successful teams are those that embrace a continuous learning mindset and adapt to new challenges. This requires a willingness to share knowledge and take risks, even if it means making mistakes along the way. Psychological safety is a crucial prerequisite for learning, ultimately leading to high performance.
A prime example of temporary teaming can be found in the teams that form in response to catastrophic events. Do you remember the awe-inspiring rescue mission of the young Thai soccer players trapped within the depths of the Tham Luang cave complex in 2018? The situation appeared grim and immensely complex, with monsoon rains and treacherous subterranean passages making it nearly impossible to reach the boys and their coach. However, what followed was a testament to the immeasurable power of spontaneous teamwork.
As news of the boys’ predicament spread worldwide, a collective of Navy SEALs, cave diving experts, engineers, inventors, and scientists converged on the scene. They brought with them specialized equipment and a diverse range of skills. What united them was a powerful shared cause – to save the lives of the children. Together, they meticulously planned each step, pooling their expertise and resources to ensure a successful outcome. Egos and national differences were cast aside, rendered unimportant by the greater purpose at hand.
As the days stretched on, the entire world held its breath, anxiously awaiting news of the trapped boys and their coach. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, the unyielding spirit of the team above ground fuelled the rescue mission. Families, friends, and even strangers joined forces, offering support.
The determination and resilience of this truly diverse group of teaming individuals became an inspiration that reached far beyond the borders of Thailand. Eventually, their efforts paid off: The first of the trapped boys emerged from the cave, bringing with him a glimmer of hope. One by one, the boys were rescued, as the world collectively exhaled in relief. The power of teamwork had prevailed, proving that when individuals team together over a strong purpose, miracles can happen.