Why Experts Don’t Always Make the Best Team Members

When it comes to building a great team, it’s not about the individuals anymore. Managers used to believe that a strong group needed the best people. Now, good managers know that the sum is greater than its parts–it’s about the team, not the individuals.

In the digital age, everyone has access to a near-unlimited amount of information. All it takes is the swipe of a smartphone. As a result, success is no longer about being an expert in one field of knowledge. Instead, success is about working together to synthesize information.

The evidence is everywhere. Studies show that today, most research is done by teams instead of individuals. Teams publish more papers, produce more results, and author more high-impact studies. Diverse teams in particular increasingly outperform individuals. So, how can you use this knowledge to your advantage and build the best team?

How can you build an effective team?

Building an effective team isn’t about the strength of each individual; it’s about the strength of the group’s collaboration. The key is to foster collaboration: create a supportive environment, be clear about the team’s goals from day one, and provide ways the group can easily communicate with one another.

1. Create a supportive environment.

A 2015 study by Google found that the most important factor in a team’s success is the concept of psychological safety. Members of a group need to feel valued, and they need to trust their team members. Innovation is all about taking risks, and the group must be a safe place to do so.

To foster a supportive environment, don’t just choose the most assertive or high-performing individuals.

To foster a supportive environment, don’t just choose the most assertive or high-performing individuals. Instead, choose group members who have a sense of social sensitivity and a strong track record of collaboration.

2. Be clear about goals.

Google’s study also found that teams need to have a sense of purpose. They need to know where they’re going before they start. From day one, be clear about the group’s goals: every project and task should reflect those goals. Encourage group members to question and test the goals, and be flexible about changing them when necessary.

3. Provide easy ways to communicate.

Studies show that the more team members interact with one another, the higher-quality and more creative the team’s output becomes. Great groups consistently use behaviors that build trust in the group, like clear and frequent communication.

It’s important to provide a dedicated online space for the group to collaborate.

The easiest way to ensure that communication is clear is by meeting face to face. When that’s not possible, though, it’s important to provide a dedicated online space for the group to collaborate. The space should make it easy for group members to track one another’s progress, discuss their successes and setbacks, and build on one another’s ideas.

When group members can connect quickly and easily, collaboration increases.

Ideally, online collaboration should be easy, accessible, and use a single platform: group members should be able to both discuss ideas and share files without needing to switch between programs or apps. Relying on email alone can be distracting and even dangerous–it’s easy to lose a file among thousands of pieces of junk mail.

To minimize those risks, successful companies often turn to collaboration tools like Zillable to allow teams to get their work done from a single place. When group members can connect quickly and easily, collaboration increases.

The team is greater than the sum of its parts.

An effective team is more valuable than a single expert. By employing tools that foster group collaboration, companies can produce more creative, higher quality results. In 2017, success is no longer about managing other people: it’s about inspiring them to contribute to the team.

About Zillable

Zillable? is the world’s first team collaboration network for innovation-on-demand. We’re where teams can make work and innovation happen. As a secured communication and collaboration hub, Zillable provides an awesome, intelligent network that bridges minds and workflows by putting all the right tools in one place for teams of any size. With Zillable, you can chat, get more done and remember everything. For more information, please visit www.Zillable.com. Try it for Free.