2020 was a tough year for all teams. Sports teams were in lockdown and many had to suffice with staying personally fit before reuniting with their fellow team players. In 2021 many sports teams practice in bubbles, separated from families, and often play in empty stadiums. Only a few lucky ones have seen and heard the momentous power of the crowd.
In the corporate world teams, the opening small talk in meetings is about your policy – are you still WFH, back in the office, or hybrid? The buzz of working in flip-flops and pyjamas might still have its perks, but when you first feel the energy of being back with humans in the office, you realise the power of effective teamwork.
At Biz, we adapted quickly to remote working. Our daily ‘All Hands’ huddle is still run via Zoom to be inclusive, but many Bizzers choose to be back in the office. The energy is just different, and the creative thinking and collaboration are significantly better.
Measuring the Performance of Teams Vs. Individual Performance
Many organisations measure individual performance metrics and hold employees accountable for results, with the power of high performing teams still underutilised.
Progressive companies are starting to look at team performance over individual performance. Taj Hotels recently changed its performance process from individual performance reviews to focusing on their team’s success. The CHRO saw a tremendous increase in engagement and alignment, to say nothing of the benefits to customers.
Setting a group of people (a team) a common goal and then letting them figure out how to get there is common sense but not common practice. I’ve seen leaders and teams excel during these difficult times because they have all been focused on a common enemy – beating or maximising the impact of the pandemic. When the team is focused on that goal, they seem to forget the infighting or politics and overlook people’s differences in the single-minded desire to win.
As the challenges of Covid-19 start to ease (in the UAE anyway), I’m observing teams turn back to the frustrations they feel with their colleagues or team leaders.
No longer laser-focused on the 'survive' or 'thrive' goals, they are slipping back into some bad habits.
Many leaders have asked us to help reinforce positive high performing teamwork, get under-the-surface frustrations on the table and remind everyone of the power of being on a winning team. We’ve also been helping organisations that have significantly grown during Covid engage with new colleagues, rebuild their culture and get ready for the typical peak months of the year, September to December.
It’s one of the most exciting moments when we see a team reconnect, open up, feel the power of belonging and realise what they can achieve when working together. As of July 2021, 64% of our clients are planning to engage in team activities in a Covid-Safe live experience, whilst 36% are clear that they want to remain virtual only. Either way, we are excited to help kick start the season with the world’s best team building options, face to face, virtual, virtual reality or hybrid, we have the solution for all levels and all team sizes.
Let the power of people working together begin again!
