When Google released their research about team performance in 2015, one of the characteristics that symbolized a team that performed well was that everyone in the team had a similar amount of airtime. In simple terms, every team member felt that they could contribute ideas, share experiences & inquire.

Teams that were performing weren’t dominated by one or two big personalities, they welcomed the whisper.

-----

All teams have to learn how to deal with ego and power dynamics. Neither of these things are ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ but, when left unchecked, they have the potential to become dangerous. For example, some team members can end up dominating and imposing their opinion. They suck up the airtime. Group think can take root. Withdrawal and collusion can become the norm and, in the haste to validate the ego, the whisper can remain unspoken or unheard.

The result of this can be that innovation reduces, risk increases and learning evaporates. Furthermore, the blinkers can go up and teams can convince themselves of truths that are more about internal spin than systemic reality.

What are you doing in your team to promote the whisper? How are you listening to the quieter voices? Are you interested in ideas that are not just your own? Are you softly open to learning?

Creating an environment that listens to the whisper is important not just because it may result in a new idea or improved efficiency. It is important also because it elevates humanity. It validates the other. It indirectly communicates that ‘you are important’, ‘you have value and worth’ and ‘you are welcome here’. These things are (at times unconscious) fundamental needs. It tells the members of the team that this environment is safe. Safety is good.

And, if you can start to deeply listen to the others in your team, imagine the increased possibilities that exist by extending your listening beyond the team. Imagine asking the system for insight and feedback about the team. Not just the organisational system but maybe even the community beyond that.

Often the whisper can get silenced and, when this happens enough, it can weaken a muscle that creates imbalance and puts you and your team at risk. 

Creating an environment of Team Psychological Safety can equip you with the tools to listen more intently and intentionally and, if the need to do this resonates with you, we really want to encourage you begin.