I’m starting a new series today called the Back to Basics for Teams. We’re going to start with one of the most important building blocks that of team agreements. It’s our team norms that create safety, understanding and connection with each other.
Let’s take a look back at Teams365 #202 where I first started talking about Team Agreements.
“One of the things that I hear from teams and leaders that I work with, that has the biggest impact, both short term and longer term, is the work that we do around creating shared team agreements. You will recall back in January, that shared behavioral norms are one of the six factors of high performing teams (LINK). Great teams have co-defined what behaviors are acceptable and what are not. When unacceptable behaviors emerge, we move into the terrain of Toxicity, as illustrated in some of this year’s Teams365 Cartoons.
In creating team agreements you may lead from the question “What are the behaviors that are going to support us to do our best work?”
Which of these are ones we can all agree to - through thick and thin? 24/7?
As you identify what the behaviors are - trust, respect - have people further define what the behaviors look like. These are more accurate, and measurable, than the larger catchments.
Each team agreement set will look different. How can you keep these visible?
One hospital team I worked with created a large poster which they hung in the hallway en route to their office. It was a reminder for them everyday, as well as a conversation starter for others who came to visit them. Over time, this team became one of the key leaders at their site. Many of them attributed their success to these common team agreements which helped them re-calibrate when they got off the mark, and helped them run together in alignment.”
Since I first published this back in 2014, we’ve seen a lot of research further reinforcing the need for team agreements, from Google’s Project Aristotle to countless other studies in both the physical and in-person domains.
What are you doing to create, or revisit, your team agreements?
Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer
Let’s take a look back at Teams365 #202 where I first started talking about Team Agreements.
“One of the things that I hear from teams and leaders that I work with, that has the biggest impact, both short term and longer term, is the work that we do around creating shared team agreements. You will recall back in January, that shared behavioral norms are one of the six factors of high performing teams (LINK). Great teams have co-defined what behaviors are acceptable and what are not. When unacceptable behaviors emerge, we move into the terrain of Toxicity, as illustrated in some of this year’s Teams365 Cartoons.
In creating team agreements you may lead from the question “What are the behaviors that are going to support us to do our best work?”
Which of these are ones we can all agree to - through thick and thin? 24/7?
As you identify what the behaviors are - trust, respect - have people further define what the behaviors look like. These are more accurate, and measurable, than the larger catchments.
Each team agreement set will look different. How can you keep these visible?
One hospital team I worked with created a large poster which they hung in the hallway en route to their office. It was a reminder for them everyday, as well as a conversation starter for others who came to visit them. Over time, this team became one of the key leaders at their site. Many of them attributed their success to these common team agreements which helped them re-calibrate when they got off the mark, and helped them run together in alignment.”
Since I first published this back in 2014, we’ve seen a lot of research further reinforcing the need for team agreements, from Google’s Project Aristotle to countless other studies in both the physical and in-person domains.
What are you doing to create, or revisit, your team agreements?
Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer
Enjoy your reflection!
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
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