Surprise, surprise. Google loves data.
Isn’t this something we knew? Maybe, maybe not.
What you likely didn’t know, however, is that Google often puts a great deal of effort into helping YOUR business operate at an optimal level. In doing so, Google has assembled some pertinent information on behalf of what is essentially their HR team. They sought to address the question of what makes a Google team successful.
Let’s dive a little bit deeper into this.
The Research
In seeking to understand why certain teams excelled and others did not Google examined more than 180 teams. They also conducted interviews and compared a myriad of characteristics/attributes between the high-rising teams and the ones that were falling short.
Conclusively, Google determined that the individual make-up of each team mattered much less than the person-to-person interaction and the composition of their work.
Ultimately, they determined that there are four critical components that separate the good teams from the great ones:
- Psychological Safety
- Dependability
- Structure and Clarity
- Meaning
While all of the elements are important, Google found that psychological safety played the largest role.
Psychological Safety
Essentially, this comes to down to one critical question: as a team, can you take risks that won’t lead to insecurity or embarrassment?
While risk-taking may seem routine on the surface, it actually carries with it a tremendous amount of emotional weight. When employees don’t feel secure about asking a question or contributing to an idea, they are less likely to partake in creativity and innovation. This is due to the simple, albeit IMPORTANT, fact that they do not want to be perceived in a negative light.
Employees that feel safe are much more likely to embody a sense of empowerment and subsequently will take risks and innovate. This leads to better collaboration and greater effectiveness. To learn more, visit CBS-CBS.com.
Dependability
As we know, nobody likes to work with an unreliable employee. This can lead to a myriad of issues. Thus, it’s critical that all members of the team submit their work on time and up to standard. Take the time to address the importance of dependability with your team.
Structure and Clarity
It’s essential for employees to understand exactly what their role is within the team at-large. If this is missing, people have a hard time pinpointing responsibility within the tasks. Consult with a Corporate Business Solutions expert to learn more.
Meaning of Work
As a team, you want to do your best to foster a sense of personal connection to the business and/or work that is being done. When this is the case, employees are more likely to deliver high-quality work.