3 tips for channelling the power of triangles in a team

Imagine you are a leader. How do you get people to work well together in teams? Certainly it is vital to ensure that everybody knows: a) What mountain they are climbing; b) Why they are climbing it: c) How they are climbing it; d) Who is doing what; f) When they will reach the summit. That is the strategic part. People must then do the grunt work and great work required to achieve the goals. The whole team must have a game plan - but within this framework it is often small groups that implement parts of the strategy. Let’s consider one combination that frequently works well in teams.

* You can recognise the power of triangles.

Football teams may consist of 11 players, but there are many ‘teams within the team’. Great teams are built on ‘triangles’. For example, the goalkeeper and two centre-backs working well together; two strikers and a midfield-player supplying them with defence splitting passes. Training consists of the follow routine. First, the coach outlines the game plan for the whole team and they spend 15 minutes practicing this plan. Second, the ‘teams with a team’ break into small groups - often triangles - and practice their part of the plan. Finally, the coach brings the whole team back to ensure the parts work together to achieve the common goal. Let’s explore how this might work in organisations.

* You can build triangles in the team.

Imagine that you have been asked to implement a customer service initiative across Europe, but unfortunately you have no direct authority. You are supposed the ‘influence’ the country leaders to make it happen. Let’s consider the options.

a) You can try to do it by yourself, but this can be lonely. You can ask the country heads to implement the initiative, but this is hit or miss, because it can fall off their radar.

b) You can pair-up with somebody, but it may still be difficult.

c) You can build a ‘triangle’. You can head the customer service project - but get two energetic people to build successful prototypes in their respective countries. The 3 of you will spur each other on to deliver the goods.

Certainly it is possible to expand such a core triangle to 4 or 5 people, but then it can become unwieldy. Some of the best brainstorming sessions, for example, happen when there are 3 people. You share enough common assumptions to quickly get to 7/10 - then harness the creative energy to get to 10/10. The more people in the group, the more you have to keep checking that everybody has the same values. Three really can be a magic number.

* You can give each triangle the support they need to support.

It is vital to give the triangle - or any group - the backing they need to succeed. Try tackling the exercise on this theme called Building triangles. First, describe a specific project that must be delivered. Second, describe the ‘triangle’ you can build to deliver these results. Third, describe the support you must give people. You can then do everything possible to help the triangle to succeed.