Move before you´re ready in 2021

Huibert Evekink

“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking, than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”
― Millard Fuller

After a year of pandemic chaos and ongoing recovery, we saw the ”new normal” for teams aligning with the principles we set out for Futureteaming back in 2016. It all feels like a long time ago.
Most of us had to adapt to a world many times more complex, dynamic and virtual than ever before.
Over the last five years, we distilled 24 essential behaviours that enable high-performance / high-risk teams to succeed in dynamic environments, whether it be cockpit crews, special operations units, surgical teams or agile software teams. We have adapted and grouped these “high-performance behaviours” in 6 areas: Psychological Safety, Clarity, Mindset, Relationships, Habits and Leadership. 
Experimenting and finding the right mix of these behaviours is essential for any team that wants to succeed in 2021 and beyond. Take the first step by taking the Futureteaming Scan.
Let's have a look at what great teams do better:
Psychological Safety

1. Showing humility & vulnerability: sharing strengths AND weaknesses
2. Giving positive and negative feedback
3. Learning from mistakes
4. Listening to and including diverse perspectives 

Clarity

1. Knowing why the team exists
2. Understanding where they are going
3. Taking responsibility for their roles 
4. Setting boundaries for “non-negotiable” team behaviour

Flexible Mindset

1. Believing in the power to grow and develop
2. Dealing with paradox and managing competing demands
3. Coping with difficulties and set-backs
4. Putting the customer, patient or any other stakeholder group they serve in the centre

Trusting Relationships

1. Establishing and maintaining trust
2. Holding each other accountable
3. Tolerating conflict in the team
4. Putting the “we” before the “me”

Effective Practices & Habits

1. Having effective meetings & briefings
2. Communicating consistently and repeatedly 
3. Solving problems and making decisions
4. Adapting rapidly through experimentation & small wins

Leadership

1. Role modelling behaviour
2. Connecting team members inside and outside the team
3. Setting and guiding the direction of the team
4. Serving and empowering the team 

Sounds obvious, right? However, finding the right mix, order, and balance of behaviours can be complicated as every team operates in a unique context. For example, improving trust is impossible if people are afraid to speak up. Working on better decision-making is useless if nobody knows what the strategy is. You have to understand the entire system –the Big Picture–before deciding where to act...fast.

Our three tips for 2021

1. Complete our Futureteaming Scan here. This 3-minute survey will stay open throughout January to give you your "Big Team Picture"
2. Pick a behaviour and find three things are easy and impactful to do: small wins
3. Contact us to retake the scan in three months to check progress and discuss your experience.

​Every month, we will publish quick, practical and effective advice on how to navigate the different areas and build "high performance" behaviour into habits.
Need some help or want to know more: get in touch with us!
Good luck and all the best in 2021 from the Futureteaming crew

---