Every culture its own kind of team?

During the past two decades quite some research about the secrets of successful team-building has published. Naturally, it requires something slightly different for a team in France to become healthy and successful on the long-run than it does for a team in the Netherlands, or in Germany, or in South Africa, or in Singapore. Just as it makes a difference if it is a team in a business-environment, a hospital, the government, sports, or a NGO. But it does not stop there. It takes something else for a team to become successful and healthy on the long-run today, as it did 10 years ago. The team-members all require something different too, especially as they are more and more often part of different generations. Many teams nowadays consist out of ‘Baby Boomers’ (55-70 years) as well as individuals that are part of Generation Y (20-35).

Now, does all this mean that there are no more-or-less universal team-competences? Of course not! Everyone who has to work together with others has certain basic needs like:

• Really being able to use your skills
• Being able to keep on growing in your competences
• Finding your very own place within the team
• Receiving appreciation for who you are and what you produce
• Experiencing a sense of purpose by contributing to something bigger

As a team of professionals we, as xpand, already work for over 27 years with all sorts of teams, within over 25 different cultures. We always work with one clear and basic concept for teambuilding. A basic concept that we tailor for each unique team to its specific needs that result from the various cultures and environments.

Let us get back to the very first question: ‘why a team?’ Despite the heaven/hell-elements, the time, the money and the energy that needs to be invested in order for the team to function well, there are definitely substantial advantages to working in a team! In short, a healthy and strong team results in:

• More productivity
• More innovation
• More fun
• More synergy
• Less negative stress
• Less mistakes (2 pairs of eyes see more then 1)
• Less loneliness and depression
• More purpose

In this new blog-series about King Arthur, the inspiring team-leader, we will start with going back 1500 years in time. Why? Well, I hope that it will stimulate your own creative process in regard to the topic of teambuilding. After all, often it is very useful to search for new ideas outside of the routine of your job and daily life (ideas that might help you to grow in your competences and as a professional).

Furthermore, King Arthur is a legendary figure, surrounded with all kinds of other amazing characters. They take us (just like Bilbo, Gandalf, Frodo, Galadriel and all the others of ‘The Lord Of The Rings’) into their world, which is full of symbols and valuable lessons. Amongst which quite some very interesting and practical lessons on teambuilding, leadership and companionship.

After King Arthur ‘his’ 8 secrets for teambuilding, I will conclude with a clear overview, and a structural approach to answer the following question: ‘how do I develop a strong team?’

But first, let us lift the curtain for King Arthur, the inspiring team-leader!

See you next week…