Team leaders are often swamped with data but lack the right kind to make informed decisions. Traditional data sources, like performance reviews or employee surveys, are outdated and slow. They don’t provide real-time insights or the nuanced understanding needed to address complex team dynamics. Instead, leaders need a new kind of data: relational analytics. This measures the strength, frequency, and nature of interactions between team members, providing a wealth of insights into team performance.
Relational analytics can identify patterns of communication, collaboration, and decision-making within teams. These patterns are crucial to understanding how a team functions and where it might be falling short. For example, teams with a high level of interconnectivity, where everyone interacts with everyone else, tend to be more innovative. On the other hand, teams with a centralised communication structure, where one person holds most of the influence, are often less effective.
The use of relational analytics is not without challenges. It requires the collection of sensitive data, which can raise privacy concerns. However, with appropriate safeguards in place, it can be a powerful tool for team leaders. By understanding the dynamics of their teams, they can make better decisions, improve team performance, and ultimately drive business success.
Go to source article: https://hbr.org/2015/03/team-leaders-need-better-data-faster