"We got so much from Will's fun yet focused style and the use of different engagement styles (moving our bodies, drawing etc)"
- Head of Service Excellence, B corp, TrustPilot ☆☆☆☆☆
Lessons from the sparrows
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To observe starlings in a murmuration, travelling at speed in a majestic symphony of movement, is to be amazed by the coordination of their fluid, cohesive, collective agility. It’s a natural process that depicts what we aspire to in our human collaborations.
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If we want to make our teams and organisations more responsive, more cohesive, and more collectively intelligent as we strive to adapt more sensitively and effectively to our rapidly changing environments, we need to:
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1. Create the conditions for teams to connect
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Sparrows can move together because they're intimately attuned to those closest to them, and collectively as a flock. By establishing an environment of psycholotical safety and belonging, which enables candour and creative controversy, teams raise their collective intelligence. Clarity on the purpose (collective task) and clear roles and expectations are also vital. Without clarity, fear complicates relationships and more easily causes 'drag' and disruption.
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2. Surface the work
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Every team knows more than it realises... the right conditions help a team 'tune-into', or 'surface' the wisdom it holds, often unconsciously. In team coaching we focus attention and raise awareness about the most important work the team needs to do to make progress. It's not about doing the work for the team, but questioning, reflecting-back, provoking, catalysing, supporting and ultimately empowering the team to do the work it needs to do.
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3. Exploring new options
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New insights create new options for moving forwards. This is the real gift of a diverse and committed team: to be able to work together to discern the best route to sucess.
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4. Choosing a way forwards
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However many options there may be one, teams need to strategise, prioritise, decide and commit. In the end the 'level of ownship will determine the likelihood of success'. A culture of creative experimentation loosens-up teams to run pilot projects to optimise performance and innovate fresh solutions.
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