Resilient work teams are those that are able to bounce back from adversity and setbacks, and continue to function effectively in the face of challenges and obstacles.
These teams are characterised by a number of key practices and behaviours, so let’s dive into what sets them apart.
- Communication
The first key practice is a teams ability to communicate openly and honestly with one another.
Resilient teams are characterised by high levels of trust and transparency, which allows team mates to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas freely, without fear of judgment or criticism.
This open and honest communication fosters a sense of collaboration and cooperation, allowing members to support one another during difficult times.
Tips and strategies for success
- Establish clear communication channels and protocols: It’s important team members know how to best communicate with each other and how to access important information. This might include setting up regular check-ins, using collaboration tools like Slack or Google Drive, and establishing guidelines for when and how to communicate.
- Foster open and honest communication: Consistently encourage team members to speak up and share their thoughts and concerns. This will help surface potential issues or roadblocks that need addressing.
- Practice active listening: When team members are communicating with each other, it is important to truly listen and understand what is being said. This involves giving the speaker your full attention, asking clarifying questions, and seeking to understand their perspective.
- Use clear and concise language: It’s important to use language that is clear and easy to understand as often as possible to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Avoid using jargon or technical language that might not be familiar to everyone on the team.
- Seek feedback and be open to criticism: Regularly soliciting feedback from team members can help to identify areas for improvement in communication. It is also important to be open to criticism and to use it as an opportunity to learn and grow as a team.
- Problem Solving
Another practice that sets resilient teams apart is their ability to problem-solve through innovation, creative thinking and the finding of new solutions.
This is often done through a process of collaboration and co-creation, with team members working together to brainstorm and generate new ideas.
Tips and strategies for success
- Clearly define the problem: Take the time to fully understand the problem at hand and ensure all team members have a shared understanding of the issue. This includes gathering all relevant information to ensure the team is working towards a common goal.
- Brainstorm solutions: Once the problem has been clearly defined, encourage creativity and open-mindedness by brainstorming a range of potential solutions. This allows the team to explore a variety of options and consider the pros and cons of each approach.
- Prioritise and evaluate solutions: Once a list of potential solutions has been generated, it’s important to prioritise and evaluate each option based on its feasibility, impact, and potential risks or benefits. This helps the team identify the most promising approaches and move forward with a clear plan of action.
- Implement and test solutions: A resilient team will take action to implement the chosen solution and test it to ensure it’s effective. This might involve making adjustments or trying alternative approaches if the initial solution doesn’t result in the desired results.
- Reflect and learn: After the problem has been resolved, take the time to reflect on the experience and identify any lessons learned. This will enable continual improvement and more efficient problem-solving in the future.
- Commitment to Learning
Another way in which resilient teams are distinguished is by their commitment to continuous learning and improvement. They recognise the world is in a constant state of change, and that they need to be prepared to adapt and evolve in order to remain competitive and successful.
As a result, they always look for ways to learn and grow, and develop their skills and capabilities. This might involve things such as attending training courses and workshops, or engaging in other forms of professional development.
Tips and strategies for success
- Encourage a growth mindset: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. Encouraging this mindset can foster a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
- Provide opportunities for learning and development: Offer team members opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge through training, workshops, and other professional development activities.
- Encourage collaboration and sharing of knowledge: Encourage the team to share their expertise and experiences with each other. This helps create a culture of continuous learning and supports team members in their efforts towards improvement.
- Foster a culture of curiosity and experimentation: Encourage team members to ask questions and seek out new information. Encourage them to try new things and learn from their experiences, even if they don’t succeed at first. There is beauty in failure.
- Celebrate and recognise learning and progress: Acknowledge team members’ efforts to learn and improve. This helps create a positive and supportive environment that encourages ongoing learning.
Communicating openly and honestly, effective problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement are elements that set resilient teams apart.
By adopting these practices, organisations can foster a culture of resilience, and build teams that are better able to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the modern world.
Remember, hellomonday can offer support and coaching at every level of an organisation, as well as help build resilient teams and strong business leaders.
