Building Strong Teams
- Difficult Conversations
- Feedback
- Influencing
- Insights
- Listening
We often hope that team development will happen automatically. Getting to know each other, discovering who is good at what and how best to work together; it’s all part of the territory.
However, team development can be actively nurtured. When we are more intentional, we improve the way we work together, communicate more effectively, perform better, and respond quickly to change.
Optimum team collaboration starts with each team member understanding themselves and their team members then recognising, appreciating, and leveraging the differences.
Fiery Red
Good Day – The Fire Brigade
Teams with a preference for Fiery Red have a clear hierarchical structure. Outsiders may think that this team pursues it objectives too frantically. Team members are well organised and practical. Everyone knows exactly where his or her responsibility lies. Just like the fire brigade these team members are all about action and results. The team is open to any change that could improve performance.
Bad Day – Territorial Bulldogs
On a bad day, the “fire brigade” turns into a group of territorial bulldogs, especially in the eyes of those who lead with Earth Green. It no longer matters HOW the result is achieved, only THAT it is achieved. Ethics and integrity can be thinner on the ground. The team rumbles on and relationships suffer.
Sunshine Yellow
Good Day – The Jazz Band
It is important for those who lead with yellow to have enough freedom for self-expression. Just like a jazz band, this team is very creative. Anything novel and new is greeted with cheering. The team members communicate in an informal way and find it important that everyone “enjoys the ride”. Each team assignment produces a different result, even if the assignment has to be carried out regularly.
Bad Day – Party Animals on the Loose
On a bad day, the members of the “jazz band” change into a group of rogue party animals, especially in the eyes of those who lead with Cool Blue. There was already little structure, but now it is completely lacking. The team members start searching for social relief from their colleagues. Bonds are made and subgroups and recreated within the team. Everybody is having a good time but unfortunately, all the connecting has nothing to do with achieving the team objective.
Cool Blue
Good Day – The Think Tank
Colleagues who lead with Cool blue use their rational skills to “think” their way to achieving the teams goals. Team members have lots of different theories and will think things through first before coming up with structured ideas. When devising solutions, risk management is central. The team’s thinking process is well organised and supported by solid procedures.
Bad Day – Obsessive Nitpickers
On a bad day the “think tank” turns into a group of obsessive nitpickers, especially in the eyes of those who lead with Sunshine Yellow. Instead of acting, the team spends time collecting and analysing data. As a result, the team becomes completely paralysed and adheres rigidly to protocols and procedures. Every creative idea is nipped in the bud and the think tank stops thinking.
Earth Green
Good Day – The Club
Team members prefer to build bonds of trust with each other. The exchange personal experiences with each other and are usually more frank and “authentic” than colleagues with other colour preferences. The team is friendly and helpful. It sometimes seems as if the team members have bonded through shared interests. The team with an Earth Green preference follows tradition and is clear about its intentions. A team goal is only embraced if all team members agree.
Bad Day – Stubborn Fanatics
On a bad day the “club” turns into a group of stubborn fanatics, especially in the eyes of those who lead with Fiery Red. The team values are declared so sacred that defending them consumes everyone’s energy. The team loses touch with the rest of the organisation and takes its own principled stand. This usually happens out of sight of their wider colleagues.
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