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
