One of the significant adjustments I had to make after arriving in Canada was learning how to work in an individualistic society and with individualistic teams. I didn’t understand the mindset at first because I come from a collectivist, “Ubuntu” culture. Individualism was very problematic for me at first in school, with classmates, then on the job, with colleagues. It was additionally challenging in the Agile space especially since I was trying to model Agile behaviour, and to get my team members to also work with a collaborative, supportive mindset. It was a very tough sell, trying to inspire people to think and act differently from how they had been raised and to get them to focus on actions their society does not typically reward. So I had a dilemma; how do I engender collaboration in an individualistic society? Through research, and by trial and error, over the course of time, I figured out what worked and I would like to share some of them here. Caveat, the word count limit won’t allow me to go into as much detail as I’d like but here goes.
Partner with HR
This is often overlooked but from my experience is the single most effective tool to use in building a culture change. Individualistic organizations that attempt to be collaborative without the support of HR do not achieve much success in that regard. This is because HR creates the reward system in the organization and what gets rewarded becomes the norm. So if you, as the Agile evangelist in your organization does the due diligence of providing training to HR so they understand to reward things like: how much a team member has taught others, in the place of rewarding individual productivity, the focus of team members would begin to shift and it would be so much easier to get them to support one another.
Ensure your team is Cross-Functional
When your team is composed of individuals with complementary skills, the fact that they can work together and achieve results seamlessly without necessarily needing external support, will enable team members to see the value of collaboration.
Clarify Common Goals
Start by defining clear and compelling team goals. Ensure that your team members understand how achieving these goals align with their personal and professional aspirations. Highlight the benefits of collaboration in reaching these goals.
Recognize Individual Contributions in Private
The fact that the focus of a collaborative team is the collective result of the team does not eliminate the need for acknowledging and celebrating the unique strengths, skills, and expertise of each team member but this should be done in private, preferably during your one-on-one meetings. Make it clear that individual contributions are valued and essential for the team’s success. Recognize the team member’s achievements and expertise.
Establish Shared Values and Norms
Collaboratively create a set of shared values and norms that guide the team’s behavior. Ensure that the values you create emphasize the importance of cooperation, open communication, and mutual respect, while still allowing room for individuality.
Encourage Open Communication
Model open and transparent communication within the team and make the team members understand that that is what you expect from them. Encourage team members to voice their opinions, share ideas, and provide feedback. Create a safe space where everyone feels heard and respected.
Provide Training and Skill Development
Provide training in collaboration and teamwork skills. This could include workshops on effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving. Equipping team members with these skills can improve their ability to work together.
Play Collaboration Games
Agile collaboration games are activities or exercises used by Agile teams to promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving among team members. These games offer several benefits that can enhance the overall effectiveness of your team. There are many Agile collaboration games, such as: Egg Drop, Dog, Rice, Chicken, Talking in Circles etc. These games are a fun, stress-relieving way of passing the message about the benefits of collaboration to your team.
Offer Autonomy within Frameworks
Balance individual autonomy with team guidelines and frameworks. Allow team members the freedom to make decisions within agreed-upon boundaries. This gives them a sense of control while ensuring alignment with team objectives.
Celebrate Collaborative Successes
Recognize and celebrate team achievements that result from collaboration. Publicly acknowledge the contributions of individual team members but emphasize how their combined efforts led to success.
Address Conflicts Constructively
Conflict can arise in any team, especially when individualistic tendencies clash. Teach team members effective conflict resolution strategies to address issues promptly and amicably, ensuring they do not disrupt collaboration.
Lead by Example
As a leader, you should model collaborative behavior. Demonstrate active listening, open-mindedness, and a willingness to work alongside team members. Leaders who prioritize collaboration set a powerful example for the team.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
Encourage regular feedback from team members on the team’s collaboration efforts. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine the team’s collaborative processes.
Create a Supportive Environment
Foster a culture where team members feel supported, trusted, and safe to take risks. When your team members know they can count on you and their teammates, they are more likely to engage in collaboration.
In conclusion, fostering collaboration in an individualistic team or society, requires a delicate balance between recognizing and respecting individuality while emphasizing the benefits of working together towards common goals. By implementing these strategies and creating a supportive team culture, you can encourage collaboration and harness the collective strengths of your individualistic team members.