A team may be made up of highly skilled and capable individuals, yet still get stuck in misunderstanding, ineffectiveness, or low energy. The difference between a team that makes it work and a team that actually works rarely has anything to do with resources or ambitions. It has to do with understanding.
An understanding of how we work as people. Understanding of our similarities, and most importantly, our differences.
The foundation of team development: understanding behaviors and needs
When discussing team development, it is often about communication, collaboration, and psychological safety. However, something that often gets overlooked is an understanding of why the team works the way it does.
Every member of a team has different behavioral drives, needs, and ways to work that may affect how we:
- Communicate
- Make decisions
- React to stress
- Solve conflicts
- Thrive and perform
Understanding these patterns, both your own and those of your colleagues, is the foundation for a functioning and effective team.
Differences are not an obstacle - they are an asset (if we understand them correctly)
In many teams, unnecessary tension arises because we interpret each other’s behavior through the lens of our own preferences.
A colleague who thinks out loud and enjoys brainstorming may come across as vague or irritating to someone who values structure and reflection.
Someone who focuses on results and quick decisions may be perceived as cold by someone who values building relationships.
When we lack understanding of each other's natural behavior, the differences can become a source of irritation. But when we understand why other people act the way they do, we can instead see their strengths and use them as assets in the team.
How to create better cooperation in practice
Every teammember does not need to be the exact same the same in order to build a well-functioning team. Instead, it’s better to create a shared understanding within the team of the different team members.
Here are three concrete steps to help a team become more thriving and effective:
1. Create self-awareness in each individual
When we understand our own strengths, drives, and needs, it becomes easier to take responsibility for how we affect others – and to be clear about what we ourselves need in order to function well.
2. Discover your differences together
Through mapping out and talking openly about your different ways of working, communication styles, and preferences, you can create a common understanding of how you work, not just what you need to do.
3. Adapt your working methods to the team’s needs
Some people may need more clarity around roles and responsibilities, while others may need space for creative freedom. When you adapt structures and expectations based on real needs, collaboration becomes both smoother and more sustainable. That’s when you can make the most of each other’s strengths and avoid frustration and misunderstandings.
In conclusion
Team development isn’t about ‘fixing problems’ – it’s about building strength through understanding. When each individual can be themselves, contribute with their unique strengths, and feel truly understood – that’s when something shifts in the team.
That’s when we see teams move from functioning to fantastic.
Do you want to know more about how to develop collaboration in your team?
Feel free to contact us at info@predictio.com if you’d like us to facilitate your workshops, or if you want to be equipped with the tools to run them yourselves 💡
