Google conducted a two-year study to identify the key factors that create the perfect team. The tech giant scrutinised 180 teams, gathering data through various methods, including interviews and performance reviews. The study, dubbed Project Aristotle, led to surprising results.
Contrary to initial assumptions, the composition of a team – who is on the team – is less important than how the team members interact, structure their work, and view their contributions. Five key dynamics were identified as significant to successful teams: psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning of work, and impact of work.
Psychological safety emerged as the most critical factor. It refers to an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable in front of each other. Dependability, the second most important dynamic, involves team members reliably completing quality work on time.
The third dynamic, structure and clarity, is about everyone understanding their role within the team and the specific goals. The last two dynamics, meaning and impact of work, refer to the work being personally important to team members and the belief that their work matters and creates change.
Google’s study shows that the ‘who’ part of a team is less important than ‘how’ they work together. The findings emphasise the importance of fostering an environment of safety and dependability within teams, where everyone understands their role and sees value in their work.
Go to source article: https://www.inc.com/michael-schneider/google-thought-they-knew-how-to-create-the-perfect.html