Collaborative Team-Building

The following is based on an article in the November 2007 issue of the Harvard Business Review, “Ways to Build Collaborative Teams” by Lynda Gratton and Tamara J. Erickson who reported on research involving members of 55 teams; team size was 4–183 people.   

Eight Factors That Lead to Successful Team Collaboration

1. Invest in signature relationship practices–provide collaborative spaces with floor plans favoring collaboration.
2. Model collaborative behavior– where collaboration is demonstrated well at the top, teams collaborate well.
3. Create a gift culture–mentor and coach informally; help build networks.
4. Ensure requisite skills–positive impact on collboration where HR teaches conflict resolution, relationship-building,  and communication skills.
5. Support sense of community–people are more comfortable reaching out and sharing knowledge where community is felt. 
6. Assign task and relationship-oriented team leaders–both are keys to successfully leading a team.
7. Build on heritage relationships–have a few people on teams who know each other.
8. Understand role clarity and task ambigity–collaboration increases when team members’ roles are defined sharply, and latitude is given on task completion.

Sharyn Heili