The foolproof way to get a new team to start collaborating, quicker

The foolproof way to get a new team to start collaborating, quicker – even in hybrid work environments!

Rashmi Sharma

The >#wfh environment does not give us enough organic opportunities to break the ice with teams, especially the cross-functional project teams which come together for a 4–8-week project. It could be a squad/ scrum or any other format.

While a long-drawn team bonding process is out of the question for these projects, it is even more important to >#synergize quickly, as we only have a short few weeks to deliver big goals.

As someone who partners with multiple markets across geographies, it becomes even more critical for me. Often the teams come at varying seniority levels, language preferences, style preferences & limited context of the project.

When I stumbled upon a tool from Design Thinking, it worked SO well that wanted to share with everyone. So here goes…!

To be done in the first kick-off meeting of the project.

Propose a quick round of introduction to get to know each other and share 3 questions below.

The members take turns to share their response. For e.g. if there are 4 members, they all first answer the question 1, then all 4 take turns to answer q 2, and so on.

1. What are your personal objectives & goals for this project?

(These aren't official project goals; these are the reasons why you may be interested in being a part of this team or your vision of this project/ your incentive or goal for the project/ how does your ‘role’ impact this project)

2. What are your pet preferences about working on this project? (Could be their preferred communication style, frequency of meeting, working alone and doing team reviews vs. brainstorming with the team….)

3. What are your personal needs that touch this effort where you might need our help?

(what would they prefer not doing, personal family needs)

This looks deceptively simple. But the way these are worded & structured, the answers they evoke go deep.

This process is impactful in not just breaking the ice and getting team aligned, but also creates a safe space and helping people ‘see’ and ‘be seen’, build empathy going ahead. All in 15-20 min!

Highly recommend for any new working group.

P.S: This works great even if the members are known to each other – because their contexts w.r.t the specific projects keep changing.

Rashmi Sharma

Global HR | Expertise in Learning, Leadership, Wellbeing | Unilever

Rashmi has 16+ years of experience in catalysing action and has a deep passion for helping leaders thrive by unlocking the powers of leadership, learning & wellbeing. She built her expertise learning from some of the best names in global people practices – Aon, IBM, Aditya Birla Group, Unilever in addition to her rich experience in South East Asia straddling global, regional and local leadership roles. A wellbeing & mental health champion, an ex-start up founder, a dancer & a TEDx speaker – she enjoys bringing diverse perspectives to her work as a talent enabler.