In the annals of organizational jargon, the mantra "build high-performing teams" reigned supreme, echoing through boardrooms and management seminars.
Yet, sorry to break it to you, this notion is a relic of a bygone era—a fossilized artifact clinging desperately to relevance in an age of rapid flux and transformation.
Traditional approaches to team-building have fixated on the doing—the assembling of individuals based on skill sets and expertise, with the goal of achieving predetermined objectives. But in our evolutionary journey, humans have evolved not just as doers, but as complex beings driven by innate psychological needs and social dynamics.
In the depths of our ancestral past, survival depended not only on individual prowess, but on the strength of social bonds and cooperative endeavors. Our brains are wired to seek connection, belonging, and meaning—a truth often overlooked in the sterile confines of corporate strategy that obsesses with performance.
The anachronistic concept of a static, high-performing team falls short of capturing the essence of human potential. We are not cogs in a machine, but living, breathing organisms shaped by context, culture, and emotion.
Such an obsolete concept truly stifles creativity, innovation, and the very essence of what it means to be human.
The time to build teams is OVER!
We must nurture ecosystems where individuals are encouraged to authentically express themselves - and not pushed to impress for their achievements. Where vulnerability is celebrated as a catalyst for evolution and not a mechanism for growth. Where diversity is natural and not a KPI for improved performance.
Success is not solely in what we do, but in who we are becoming.
Are we done with the assembly line metaphors yet? Can we, finally and for once, leave behind outdated paradigms and embark on a journey of discovery—a journey that honors the richness of human experience and unlocks the potential within each of us.
I know, it has become an habit, a phrase, we maybe repeat just because we are so used to - and makes us sound smart - but please stop! The danger of such mindset is clear and under all our eyes. It strips away our humanity, reducing us to expendable resources whose worth is measured solely by our ability to meet targets. It breeds a toxic culture of competition and burnout, where the relentless pursuit of productivity comes at the cost of mental health and personal well-being.
Teams aspire to soar,
Beyond the shackles of productivity's lore,
Humanity's worth is valued more,
Against the backdrop of an industrial cage,
Souls are bound by a performance sage,
Rise, like waves against the shore
Our worth transcends the tales of productivity galore.
So, what is the alternative? How can we move beyond the outdated paradigm of the "high-performing team" and embrace a more humane approach to collaboration and innovation?
It starts with a radical shift in mindset. Instead of viewing teams as engines of productivity, can we see communities of individuals united by a shared purpose. We must prioritize (over performance and productivity) empathy, trust, and psychological safety, recognizing that true innovation flourishes in environments where people feel valued and respected for being and not for achieving something.
In the end, the true measure of a team's success lies not in its ability to "perform," but in its capacity to inspire, to uplift, to_____ (fill in the blank).
Next time you are tempted, or asked, to articulate the “benefits” or the “returns” on the performance of a team of anything you offer, or propose to implement, please remember that our intrinsic worth is not solely defined by how much work we produce or how efficient we are in achieving tasks.
Next time you prepare an offer, a workshop brochure, or anything that is transformative, take the time to value and enphasize the importance of recognizing (and valuing) aspects of ourselves that cannot be quantified or measured by productivity metrics.
My invitation to you is to unpack and dismantle those outdated myths and to embody an Artful Mindset and work more creatively:
UNLOCK THE ARTFUL MINDSET - Creativity is innate to us. A series of simple invitations to help you explore the key concepts and practices to unlock the artful mindset. IT'S FREE
FORGET START UP & ART-UP - Immerse yourself in a learning experience that transcends the ordinary. Engage in lively explorations, vibrant dialogues, and hands-on assignments that breathe life into your ideas. Download the brochure here.
THE MAVERICK'S PALETTE - An extraordinary opportunity to infuse your entrepreneurial spirit with the colours of creativity. It is not just a course; it's a journey of self-discovery and innovation. Let your journey as an artful entrepreneur begin here.
If you’re interested in learning more about my services and would like to discuss any consultancy, workshops, talks, please reach out.
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