Team Success – Insights from Conversations

I have been a close observer of team dynamics in a project environment. In last 13 years, I have seen a number of teams that were highly successful, teams that failed initially and then succeeded, teams that succeeded only when there was a fire in the project and teams where success was constant and incremental.

Here is some of what I have gathered talking to successful teams.

• “We were successful because each one of us exactly knew what we had to do.”
• “There was chaos, but then, we all knew how important the the job was and why.”
• “Our project manager made it enjoyable, despite all the challenges.”
• “As a team, since roles/responsibilities were clear, we valued each other’s contribution. We trusted each other.”
• “There was no power game. Our leader was never bossy.”
• “Everyone was fully involved.”
• “Expectations and communication was clear, and it only helped us deliver what customer expected.”
• “The team was not really a team, but a bunch of great friends. We hanged out together to ensure that we work hard and we party harder.”
• “We were treated as ‘humans’ who were ‘engaged’, and not as ‘resources’ who were simply ‘deployed’.”
• “Some tough calls had to be taken and were willing to take some calculated risks on our project.”
• “We did think a lot about processes in the project initiation. We also ensured that all stakeholders understood the process.”
• “Our leader gave us a lot of space to try new things and experiment. A few such successful experiments resulted in a lot of improvement in our performance.”
• “The project manager exactly knew the strengths and weaknesses of our team members. People were only assigned to tasks they were good at.”
• “The decision making process was participative.”
• “Yes, we had conflicts and differences. But at the end of it all, I think our differences allowed us to think differently.”
• “As a project lead, I had to ensure that team does what they are supposed to do. My role was to ensure that all peripheral issues are managed so that team remains focused.”
• “I was held accountable for whatever I delivered and this was expected from all.”

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