Companies ditch hierarchies for ‘teamship’ leadership model
NEVADA, UNITED STATES — Traditional workplace hierarchies are becoming obsolete as organizations embrace “teamship,” a revolutionary approach that emphasizes collective responsibility and shared leadership.
This transformation in workplace dynamics is reshaping how teams operate and succeed in the modern business environment.
The science behind teamship
Research involving over 3,000 teams has revealed that only 15% achieve co-elevation, a state where team members commit to mutual accountability for optimal performance. This new model has already been adopted by major corporations, including IBM, Comcast, and Salesforce, leading to remarkable improvements in team dynamics.
The impact is significant: organizations implementing teamship practices have seen a 79% increase in honest communication, 46% improvement in collaboration, and 44% boost in accountability.
From individual leadership to collective success
Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, advocates strongly for this approach. As a business consultant, he emphasizes creating an environment where team members are empowered to share ideas and maintain mutual accountability.
Keith Ferrazzi, Founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, further develops this concept in his latest book “Never Lead Alone.” He promotes strategies such as creating a challenge culture and conducting open 360-degree feedback sessions to maintain transparency.
Core principles of teamship
Ferrazzi outlines a three-step framework to achieve effective teamship:
- Building Relationship Action Plans: Teams align on strategic goals through regular planning, identifying key objectives essential for success.
- Selecting Right Team Members: Through monthly “stress tests,” teams refine their composition to ensure the right mix of skills and perspectives.
- Conducting Energy Checks: Regular assessments of team members’ emotional states help maintain motivation and engagement, ensuring all members feel supported.
Cultivating a challenge culture
A core element of teamship is the establishment of a challenge culture, where team members are encouraged to engage in open exchanges of ideas and feedback.
Unlike traditional models where feedback flows from the top down, teamship involves everyone in a continuous feedback loop, enhancing personal and collective growth. This approach helps teams navigate conflicts constructively and maintain high performance by fostering resilience and adaptability.
The digital transformation factor
Even in today’s hybrid and remote work environments, teamship principles remain effective when combined with modern collaborative tools. Nirit Cohen, speaking on the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast, emphasizes the importance of matching the right people with appropriate tasks and tools, regardless of their physical location.
