Teams of Teams

We all know teamwork is critical in every environment. This concept has never been new to any of us. We have all been a part of this concept-knowingly or unknowingly. The term “team of teams” has been recently popularized by retired US Army General Stanley McChrystal through his book titled Teams of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World in 2015. The true proponent of this term was Bill Drayton, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ashoka.

Let’s look at this when it comes to inclusion. Inclusion can be the most secret sales weapon within an organization. Inclusion welcomes all employees from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This achieved is through:

  • Creating an open and welcoming physical and cultural environment for all: This must leave little to interpretation. Every executive, manager, contractor, or employee must know the stance of the environment from the first contact and through every phase of employment.
  • Obtaining and showing buy-in from senior leaders: Every CEO and his/her corporate officers should lead by example of an inclusive workplace. The best tone is set by the leadership of any organization.
  • Publicizing the benefits of inclusivity: When people know a company only embraces an inclusive environment, this will attract talent who will want to become a part of this movement.
  • Celebrating and rewarding inclusive behavior: When inclusion is celebrated, this will also influence everyone to work together to improve the organization and to improve the overall bottom line for the company.
  • Providing the necessary training and education: The best quality training and education that keeps everyone on the same page is critical for success. A well-informed and well-intentioned team can maximize efforts and productivity.
  • Measuring, checking, and improving inclusivity: Organizations should measure the effectiveness of all inclusion implementation efforts. Tracking the success or lack thereof gives an honest assessment of ways to improve overall.

A truly inclusive team is the greatest definition of “team of teams”. This is the best optimization of working together on all organizational and cultural levels. This is a welcoming environment, showing through leadership example, the actual acceptance and enforcement of the principles, ensuring proper understanding, and rewarding those who help their organization succeed while creating a better environment for all. Every organization has the potential to be an example of ‘teams of teams’ for other organizations to emulate.

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