ThinZine™
March 2016
Volume 11 Issue 1
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We've been asked by many of our customers for periodic, no-nonsense emails with just-in-time information for managers and knowledge workers on how organizations work. This is our 72nd edition and we hope you enjoy it.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your interest and support! Sue Annis Hammond
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A recent New York Times Magazine was devoted to articles about how we work. One article, in particular, was fascinating. Author Charles Duhigg reported on a study Google conducted on why some teams thrive and others don't. Google looked for patterns of all types (personality, skills, background, structure, leadership etc.) but concluded that the "who part of the equation didn't matter." Ultimately they found that "understanding and influencing group norms were the keys to improving teams." In particular, norms that establish psychological safety were critical. Amy Edmondson wrote 'the' article (Administrative Science Quarterly, 6/1/99) on this back in 1999. She defines it as "a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking... It describes a climate characterized by interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people are comfortable being themselves." In the Times article they note that people taking turns in conversation and showing empathy create psychological safety. So does sharing something about yourself. This study was an affirmation for the value of two products I offer.
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Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ Profile
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First, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ Profile measures the level of vulnerability-based trust. With this, you can actually find out where your team lands on this critical team norm. And the whole Five Behaviors program focuses on identifying and potentially changing group norms. One of the fundamental exercises in the Trust module is sharing personal histories. Because we often try to avoid showing our true selves, this is often the exercise that is left out because a facilitator is uncomfortable or thinks the group would be uncomfortable.
Yet, one of the teams profiled in the article began an off-site with a very similar exercise. When they later tackled their team survey results, they found they could be more honest and open. This is exactly what vulnerability based trust predicts; more honesty and openness when you feel you know others on your team at a deeper level.
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Five Behaviors Progress Report Now Free
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Most teams need follow-up when they try to change their behavior. When the leadership team at Wiley did their own Five Behaviors Progress Report™, they realized that this feedback was essential to continuing their team development. So essential, they made it FREE. That's significant because it used to retail for almost $100 per person. There is no limit to the number of times you can re-measure the team. This is a huge value add to the product and makes the whole program much more affordable.
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Five Behavior Comparison Reports Also Free
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In addition, they released The Five Behavior of a Cohesive Team Comparison Reports. They are ALSO FREE for any two people who have an Everything DiSCŪ or Five Behaviors report. So if your team has gone through an Everything DiSC program, I can run those Five Behavior Comparison Reports. The clients I've already shared these with immediately see the value of comparing pairs of people in each the 5 behaviors. This too is a way to increase psychological safety.
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Building Team Trust Online Course
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- A willingness to be vulnerable to others (psychological safety)
- People accept and value you for who you are (respect)
- People doing things for the greater good (psychological safety).
These elements are all reflected in the Google study of productive teams. The course follows the Lencioni Team Model to learn specific actions to build trust on a team within the five behaviors. It's a great add to your organization's eLearning, coaching program, or to follow up a Five Behavior program. We'll offer it at a 20% discount for the next month (use coupon code: teams).
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Patrick Lencioni has a new book coming out next month. Called The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues , he digs further into how psychological safety is developed in teams. He gave us a preview of the book at the annual Wiley Learning Solutions conference last week and it looks like it's going to be a terrific new resource. I'll review Lencioni's new book once I get my hands on it.
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Five Behaviors To Be MBTI Compatible
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I've had many clients use the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ Profile with great success. Let me share more great news...the product is currently 'powered by Everything DiSCŪ.That means that the style instrument used in conjunction with the team assessment is DiSC.
As of this summer, we will have an MBTI compatible version called "All Types." I've had 4 teams beta test this product and they loved it. If your organization has invested resources in a Jungian assessment, you now have a Five Behavior report that fits your current language.
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It's always affirming to realize that the latest research backs up your own work. I am pleased to continue to partner with Wiley Learning Solutions, as they have impressed me repeatedly. They will also be beta testing a new selection instrument that is legally defensible so if you're interested in the test, the assessment is free during the 6-week beta period. Contact me with any questions about this beta or the new products.
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