High performing teams...
Andy Youell
Higher education data, systems and regulation; advisory, training and interim.
A lot is written about high-performing teams; the magic recipe; the critical factors; the combination of skills and attributes. We casually talk about goals, delivery and performance. We've analysed the concept of 'the team' and in many cases reduced it to a series of abstract concepts, a compendious diagram or a pithy shibboleth.
Today I witnessed teamwork on a stupendous scale. I saw years of practice distilled into a single moment of delivery; there was no room for error and no second chance. Everybody knew their part and together they created something that was beyond our expectation and belief.
I saw a collective effort that was breath-taking in its ambition and which required strength, precision and trust....oh my, the trust...to ensure that everything worked and that catastrophe was avoided.
I witnessed two hours of teamwork that delivered shock and awe, laughter and amazement; a sense of magic and a collective experience that is like no other.
High performing teams can achieve amazing things. Sometimes you need to step out of the world of spreadsheets and committees and immerse yourself in a world where the best high-performing teams live.
Giffords Circus tour the Cotswolds every summer. If you ever get a chance, get some tickets and experience something life-affirming and absolutely mesmerising.
Consultant - Education, Regulation, and Local Government
3 个月I often think how useful playing sport is for developing the right behaviours in a team in the office – ·????????making sure you've got each other's back and cover each other, but expecting others to take responsibility when you need to give responsibility to them, as well ·????????making sure you understand the other players and what ways of engaging with them and giving feedback they respond to ·????????that whole thing when you're playing (and it's probably the same in a university committee) making eye contact and communicating through that, so that you are on the same wavelength, you can cue each other to do things without saying them out loud
Retired Higher Education Registry and Data Management Professional.
3 个月So an HE equivalent is the Graduation Ceremony which is the culmination of lots of teams creating a celebratory event for their graduates. It is always the best event of the University year
Professor of Digital and Social Science, working at digital intersections - where the digital collides with health, education, social justice, social need. People first, digital and data, as appropriate, thereafter
3 个月Lots to be learnt from your experience / post Andy “Sometimes you need to step out of the world of spreadsheets and committees and immerse yourself in a world where the best high-performing teams live.” Thank you ??