Teams are the subject of a lot of conversation at Red Clay these days. We talk about our org chart in light of its affect on our teams. We evaluate project management software and methodologies based on their affects on our team. We discuss our client relationships and how we can form a tighter team with our clients. We attribute our success to teamwork and forming high performance teams and teamwork methodologies.
Merriam Webster defines a teamwork as work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole. We feel this is a pretty good definition as it emphasizes a key tenet of our culture, setting aside one’s self for the sake of the team. We have found that teamwork not only makes the whole more efficient but it also stretches each team member and creates opportunities for experiences that have value above and beyond a particular project. It’s also a lot more fun to work in teams.
In our office we have torn down the walls, figuratively and literally, in order to allow the formation of ad hoc teams that can solve problems and dissolve as quickly as they form. Our next focus is to tear down the walls with our clients. Focusing on project roadmapping and incremental improvements means more communication, more often with our clients forming a true team, a partnership that is efficient.
Patrick Lincioni reminds us… teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability which is an important message even if it can be uncomfortable at times.
