Terrific vs Terrible Teams
/By Hannah Liu, Rex Roseman and Duncan Anderson. To see all blogs click here.
Job To Be Done:
To define what a good team looks like
To explain why we should strive to be the best team we can possibly be
To show why you should want to part of a good team
One sentence summary:
A terrific team is better than the sum of its parts, and results in individual growth and team growth, as well as being a hugely enjoyable thing!
Overview:
A team is historically a group of people working towards a common goal
This doesn’t actually mean that the team is a good team. A terrific team reaps huge benefits for the individuals and the group, but this doesn’t automatically happen.
Group assignments at uni notoriously cause horrific thoughts. We’ve all been there. This is an example of a terrible team.
Team Taxonomy:
Terrific team = 1. Individuals grow faster than they would if they weren’t part of the team + 2. Team members interact better with each other year on year meaning team level inter-productivity improves
Average team = 1. Individuals growth is what it would be by themselves (ie team is adding no extra growth to the individual) + 2. Team members do not improve at interacting with each other year on year (ie flat team level inter-productivity)
Terrible team = 1. Individuals grow slower than they would by themselves because of interference from the team + 2. Team level inter-productivity drops year on year as team members ‘grate’ against each other.
There is no limit to how terrific (or terrible) a team can be. Try being terrific… it can be terribly good fun!
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Details
Emergence:
Emergence (video link) is a concept traceable as far back as Aristotle. The term was coined by G. H. Lewes in 1875
In a regular mathematical equation, the variables equal the resultant. Great teams break maths.
Some maths:
Terrible team = 1 + 1 = <2
Average team = 1 + 1 = 2
Terrific team = 1 + 1 = >2
Some sports quotes:
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." --Michael Jordan
“No individual can win a game by himself.” --Pelé
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." --Phil Jackson
In each of these quotes, something bigger than just the group of people is being talked about
A good team is greater than the sum of its parts. An emergent team is able to do things beyond the capability of its parts
Terrific vs Average vs Terrible teams:
Equation
Team = 1. Team multiplier (1.1 Problem solving ability + 1.2 Output ability + 1.3 Ability to support each other + 1.4 Enjoyment) * 2. Ability to upgrade/grow (2.1 As an individual + 2.2 As a team)
When a team works well together, we have greater solution sets, see more ego distortions and blind spots, and are more productive with greater quality. They continuously are growing together. Strong teams are able to eliminate key person risk, support each other through difficult periods and celebrate wins together.
Individual level
Terrific team = your personal growth rate is greater than what it would be if you were by yourself
Average team = your personal growth rate is the same as what it would be if you were by yourself
Terrible team = your personal growth rate is the less as what it would be if you were by yourself
Team level
Terrific team = team output growth rate accelerates Year on Year
Average team = team output growth rate is flat Year on Year
Terrible team = team output does not grow Year on Year
Outcome:
Terrific team: you are super grateful to be part of the team and would sacrifice to keep it together = energising
Average team: you are indifferent about being part of the team = neutral
Terrible team: get me out of here, these people are doing my head in = draining
Equation:
Team = 1. Team multiplier (1.1 Problem solving ability + 1.2 Output ability + 1.3 Ability to support each other + 1.4 Enjoyment) * 2. Ability to upgrade/grow (2.1 As an individual + 2.2 As a team)
Understanding how as a team grows you can get more done with each person added is KEY IMO!
1.1 Problem solving ability = 1.1.1 the ingredients you have + 1.1.2 the lens you view things from + 1.1.3 the blindspots we have
When you’re problem solving with a terrific team, you springboard off each other and come up with a solution that is more creative, more holistic, covers more bases and is better than what any of you could do individually.
As individuals, our solution set is limited by ourselves. As a team, our solution set expands and builds upon each otherbw
1.2 Output ability = 1.2.1 the skills we have + 1.2.2 the resourcing we have
Ideally, each person that is in a team results in >1x unit of output. This is how 1+1=3
Bad team: each incremental person added is less than 1x extra person’s output.
Someone said that if Ithings aren’t working out in a team, the (somewhat counterintuitive) solution is to remove someone. In bad teams, where people aren’t collaborating well, this solution will result in a better outcome
Average team: each incremental person added is 1x extra person’s output.
Great team: each incremental person added is >1x extra person’s output
Team members enhance each others skills, resulting in greater output.
Team members complement each other and there is no key person risk as team members are proficient in multiple disciplines. This means the team is able to load balance
1.3. Ability to support each other = 1.3.1 emotionally support one another + 1.3.2 help cover each other’s workload when required
When you have a terrific team, the trust is there to be able to be candid with one another
A great team has team members who are able to support each other appropriately as required
See push, support, leave, intervene blog
In most industries, there are always periods that are more difficult, either in workload amount or timelines. The stress of these times can be dampened when you have a supportive team who stand up together
1.4 Enjoyability = 1.4.1 fun with your work + 1.4.2 fun with your colleagues
When you have a great team, you look forward to working together.
In any sort of team, there are ups and downs. In sport teams, in work teams, in music teams, in friendships. Hopefully you have a team with positive sentiment override though!
If you do, you’re essentially ensuring enjoyability. This is a pretty epic thing!
It’s not just the outcomes that are positive, but the overall process is fun as well
So if you have a great team, you have a great time together too! Bonus!
2. Ability to upgrade/grow
When you have a terrific team, the trajectory of the team member’s growth increases drastically.
This is both at an individual level, and overall as a team
When you learn more, you’re able to make more connections, which exponentially increases your growth. Good teams create an environment where this thrives
Conclusion:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
I honestly believe there’s nothing better than being part of a terrific team: the camaraderie, the shared vision, and dedication in working together to make greatness happen
When you’re part of a great team, it barely seems like work because you enjoy and want to interact with everyone. You know that you’re part of something special that makes all of you better than you would otherwise be. You’re able to achieve things that you can’t even fathom at the beginning.
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” --Henry Ford
“No journey is long with good company”... so let’s build a good company!