The most effective teams have a consistent focus on both structure and relationships. They know that being strong in both areas is critical to maximizing their potential.
By structure I mean that the right components are in place – I call these the cultural building blocks of a team – that enable team success. For example, purpose is clear, communication strategy supports the team’s purpose, and norms drive a common and collective way of working together.
By relationships I mean that team members trust and respect each other. They know that developing trust and respect is a continuous process, just like with any other relationship in their lives. It is only with a strong foundation of trust and respect that team members can engage in the dialogue and debate that it takes to make the consequential decisions for the team/organization.
As you continue your team building initiatives, keep in mind that great teams have a strong focus on both the structure of the team and the relationships between people on the team.