4 things - self-organizing teams

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Organizations steeped in a command and control hierarchical culture sometimes struggle with the concept of a self-organizing team. Releasing "control" to the team is a scary leap of faith and not a leap to be undertaken without proper preparation. Before setting a team loose to find it's own way, here are 4 critical things to put in place to increase the chances of having a successful self-organizing team.

  1. Shared Goal - Establish a shared understanding of the goal.  A shared goal focuses the the team members' energies in the same direction. This laser-like focus leads to quick, targeted results. The shared goal is an essential container for a self-organizing team's creativity, setting both boundaries and direction. Absent an effective container, prepare for chaos.
  2. Dedication - Ensure that each team member is fully available to the team. Part-time is only acceptable if it does not create impediments to the teams' progress (in practice, it is rare that part-time availability does not impede flow).  Dedicate space, equipment, and tools so these resources are always available without delay when needed. Waiting kills momentum and focus.
  3. The Right Stuff - Staff the team with a mix of people that in combination have the appropriate level of knowledge, skills, expertise, leadership, and accountability to get the job done. Attitude and aptitude play a big role as well. Also, provide the things the team needs to do the job including workspace, tools, and equipment. Don't starve the team!
  4. A Sense of Urgency - Give a deadline, leaning towards a shorter timeframe. Agile frameworks impose short iterations during which real, meaningful, and measurable progress is made towards the goal. Deadlines encourage action. As Samuel Johnson said, "Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates the mind wonderfully."

And finally, listen and respond to the team's needs. A team starting out is never perfectly staffed and outfitted despite best efforts.  If a team discovers a way to improve and needs help to implement the improvement, give them the help they need. With the proper ingredients for success, self-organizing teams thrive and become a powerful, nimble, and effective engine for delivery.