Team identity is like your team's special superpower – it’s what makes you unique and sets you apart.?
There are some simple and direct reasons why having a solid team identity is KEY.?
When your team has a clear identity, amazing things start to happen.?
- Boosting Creativity and Innovation: A strong team identity creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas and thinking outside the box. Think of the Golden State Warriors basketball team. Their clear identity was playing fast, selfless basketball, which attracted talented players who thrived in that style. The result? They won championships and made jaw-dropping plays that amazed their fans.
- Building Morale and Collaboration: When your team members are encouraged to be themselves without fear, it builds trust and collaboration. Take the legendary Barcelona football team as an example. They had a unique identity of playing possession-based "tiki-taka" football. This style brought players together and led to incredible victories, as each member knew how to complement their teammates' skills.
But believe it or not, having a clear identity isn’t all about being cosy; it’s also about being financially savvy.
Some of the financial perks that come with a strong team identity are:
- Improved Financial Performance: Research by Gallup shows that organisations with a strong team identity increase their profitability by 29%. When your team knows who they are and what they aim for, they bring their A-game and achieve great results.
- Increased Employee Retention: Companies with a well-defined team identity experience 42% lower employee turnover rates. That's because when team members feel they belong and have a shared purpose, they're likelier to stick around. And guess what? That saves you money on recruiting and training new team members.
Team identity is a secret weapon that can catapult your team to success. Embrace your unique qualities, foster creativity, and promote collaboration. Remember, it's all about celebrating the individual strengths that make your team shine.
How do you go about creating this??
Here’s a simple overview of a session to get clear on your team’s identity:?
- Start by asking your team “what they want to be known for.”
- Ask people to reflect on this question and capture their thoughts on a post-it note.?
- Then pop it on a wall.?
- Once you have a collection of Post-it notes, ask the team to “theme” them, grouping the similar Post-its together.
- Once you have your themes, ask the team to make a list of 5-6 things they want to be known for.
- Once they’re happy with the list (I suggest you don’t spend too much time wordsmithing, say 20 minutes max….perfection is a myth!), get the team to agree to it.?
- Then, print it out and get everyone to sign the bottom of the sheet!?
- Finally, this is a living breathing thing… come back to it and review it every coupe of months, whenever a new team member joins - or when you thin kit necessary!?
