Smart Teams Use 3 Practices
Smart teams outperform smart individuals. Use these practices to build one you’re proud to lead.
3 Practices That Build Smart Teams
#1 Expand the lens
- Ask “What are we missing?”
- Rotate the role of devil’s advocate.
- In conflict, ask, “What are we learning?”
- Reframe from the view of a customer, competitor, or colleague.
- Ask teammates to explain the other person’s position before their own.
- Hold cross-functional meetings.
- Debrief with curiosity. After decisions or conflicts, explore how each person saw the situation and why.
#2 Turn-taking
Teams are dumb when a few members dominate the conversation.
- Ask for conclusions first. Explanations follow.
- Pass an item that indicates the right to speak—a ball, rubber ducky, or flashlight.
- Invite each person to contribute before opening the floor for discussion.
- Start with quieter voices. Give them prep time before the meeting.
- Pause to process between speakers.
- Designate someone to monitor who speaks and who hasn’t.
- Give each person a set amount of time to speak.
Note: Sometimes experts should contribute more. But be aware of a novice’s creativity.
More: 7 Ways to Make All Teams Smarter
#3 Curiosity
- Hold curiosity rounds. Bombard the issue with “how,” “why,” or “what if” questions.
- Honor curiosity-driven inquiries. “Thank you for asking.”
- Welcome unexpected ideas or concerns as opportunities to learn.
- Expect leaders to say “I wonder if…” or “I’m curious about…”
- End meetings with, “What made you think differently today?”
More: Curiosity – Remarkable Practices, Unexpected Benefits
Smart teams…
- Accept confusion without ridicule.
- Respond supportively to feedback or bad news.
- Show curiosity when something goes wrong.
- Welcome constructive dissent.
- Don’t interrupt.
Smart teams are never an accident. They’re built, not born.
What’s one practice you’ll try in your next team meeting?
What’s missing from these smart team strategies?
Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups
What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team
This is fantastic, Dan! I am coaching a team that is struggling and this will give us some great talking points as we set norms to increase our functionality. Thank you!
Coaching teams is a challenge. It’s a pleasure to contribute. Cheers.
Process Check
At the end of each meeting (or periodically), it is helpful to ask participants to rate the meeting and suggest one area for improvement. Keep it simple: a quick 1–3 scale or thumbs up/down with a comment. Use feedback to make adjustments that yield better results.
Think of how useful this practice might be. One benefit is the attitude change in the people around the table. Thanks for jumping in.