The Value of Connected Teams

There is extraordinary research by Michael West* demonstrating that well connected hospital surgical teams save lives. I’m sure you also have experience confirming that well-connected teams have greater efficiency and higher productivity.

But how & why is there not more focus and attention on getting better connections in teams both internally with team members and externally with stakeholders? The common beliefs are:

‘Staff think: “we're doing fine.” Employee engagement surveys usually deliver a rude awakening. Teams often hide in a bubble of their own authority and competence not wanting to face reality of their leadership impact.

‘We get the job done’. How many teams settle for mediocracy? Most choose to be unaware of the impact of their weak performance, their potential and what they could change to create a high performing team.

‘It's not our fault’ Much easier and safer to blame others but more effective to sort out responsibility for mistakes, learn how to rectify them and change.

‘We get on well enough - let’s not rock the boat’ There is huge denial about the difficulties team members have with each other. Disagreements are swept under the carpet destroying creativity and productivity. Knowing and understanding differences is the first step to building real collaboration and efficiency.

‘Customers are satisfied’ At least satisfied enough not to complain, but could constructive feedback help the team focus on how to deliver a better product or service?

‘We're delivering what’s required’ - or so they think! The lack of connection with key stakeholders can be debilitating so Teams can plough on with their internal agenda believing their own PR and not serving the organisation in the best way.

How to move a team to the next league

Team Connect 360 is a powerful diagnostic tool that confronts these ineffective beliefs and behaviours. The Report will provide clear data on where a team needs to focus attention to increase efficiency and productivity.

As a 360° tool it gathers data from up to 12 Team Members and 100 surrounding stakeholders - Managers, Peers, Direct Reports/Staff , Customers & Suppliers to create a comprehensive picture of performance.

Another key features is that there is critical information that only the internal team will know about in each section. So the last two questions and therefore the graphs only report the team members feedback about itself.

The TC360 Report displays this mass of numerical data in simple clear graphs so the results are immediately recognisable.

In addition carefully worded questions invites summary comments that add richness and clarity to the feedback.

The Questionnaire and Report focuses on six areas.

1. Stakeholder Expectations - what the team is required to delver
2. Team Tasks - what the team does to meet those expectations
3. Team Relationships - the interpersonal and leadership dynamics
4. Stakeholder Relationships - how the team connects with those it serves
5. Team Learning - how the team grows and develops to meet future challenges
6. Overall Productivity - summary of the team’s capacity to deliver.

In summary, this unique and powerful Questionnaire and Report gives a clear picture of how the team is connected within its organisational system.

So What?

In order to make full use of the data there is a ‘Next Steps’ section that guides the team in extracting the learning and helps it to focus on the actions needed. However the best value is achieved from debriefing the TC 360 Report with a qualified and licenced Systemic Team Coach.

How to deliver the TC 360 to clients

The Systemic Team Coaching 3 day Certificate programme is:

1. An intensive introduction to the Systemic Team Coaching practice
2. A licence to deliver the TC 360 tool

By the end of the three days you’ll have a solid grounding, personal experience and actual practice in STC and debriefing the TC360 tool.

See a sample Report, visit webpage.

For more information contact Mike Smith on mike.smith@aoec.com.

* Lancaster University Prof Michael West http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/michael-west-developing-cultures-%20high-quality-care-kingsfund-feb13.pdf