In the depths of 1999, just as Y2K paranoia was gripping the collective psyche, Ian Higgs dropped a bomb on the world of corporate handbooks: “The Seven Common Elements of a Team.” Imagine, if you will, a time when offices buzzed with the mechanical hum of dial-up internet and cubicles were the battlegrounds of sanity. Amidst this chaos, Higgs’ insights shone like a beacon through the fog of mediocrity.
First off, Clear Objectives. Any team worth their salt must have a target, a destination, a holy grail. Without it, they’re just a pack of lost souls wandering aimlessly through the corporate wasteland, empty vessels gradually turning the colour of the office walls surrounding them.
Next, Roles and Responsibilities. Higgs knew the value of a well-defined hierarchy, like a finely-tuned mafia. Each member must know their place and their purpose. No room for renegades or free spirits here – it’s a disciplined, organized chaos.
Ah, Decision-Making. The heart of the beast. The method behind the madness. A team without a decision-making process is like a gun without a trigger – all potential, no action. The decisions must be swift, decisive, and without remorse. Think of it as a high-stakes poker game, where every choice can make or break you.
Then, the Communication. Pure, unadulterated dialogue. No room for whispers behind closed doors or cryptic emails. Higgs demanded transparency – the kind that lays bare the raw nerves of the team, forcing them to confront their demons.
Support and Trust. The sacred bond that holds the team together. Without it, they’re just a group of mercenaries, ready to stab each other in the back at the first sign of trouble. Trust is the glue, the lifeline, the very air they breathe.
On to Conflict Resolution. In any real team, conflict is inevitable. Higgs wasn’t naive. He knew that when tensions run high, the knives come out. It’s how these conflicts are resolved that separates the wolves from the sheep.
Lastly, Team Development. Like a fine whiskey, a team must be aged, refined, perfected. Continuous improvement is the name of the game. The journey is never over, the summit never fully conquered.
In the end, Higgs’ elements were a roadmap for survival in the cutthroat jungle of corporate America. Seven steps to salvation, or damnation, depending on how you play the game.
