TSR #2: Human-Centered Teams: What they are and how to build them
3 minute read
What’s in this newsletter:
The pillars of human-centered design
How this applies to teams, and ultimately, to people
How do you create a system to amplify people
Why now is the best time to build human-centered teams
One actionable exercise you can do for yourself or with your team
In order to understand human-centered teams, we should first take a look at human-centered design: a well-known and practiced area in problem-solving.
Pillars of human-centered design
Solve core problems: Try to look below the surface and beyond the symptoms, to find the real drivers of problems.
Focus on the person: Make empathy and humanity the focal point of your problem-solving.
Think in systems: Take a holistic approach, don’t just look at one small problem area.
Start small and simple: Rapid feedback loops and iteration are the keys to moving quickly in the right direction.
How this is useful for teams, and ultimately, people
The pillars of human-centered design are often used by teams in relation to their work, but they can also be applied to how teams function internally.
Here’s why:
Most teams don’t dig down to the core problem, they focus on patching symptoms.
Most teams are centered around output, not people.
Most teams build processes for humans to fit the system, but should really be fitting the system to amplify the human.
Most teams take on big changes that aren’t sustainable.
How to build a more human-centered team
Start by taking a look at what systems you have in place today, and find opportunities to make small changes that will bring you closer to the human-centered pillars.
You can use the RADA framework to understand where you are and define a path to improve.
Reflect: Break down what you have
What people, processes, and tools exist in your current system?
How are they organized?
How do they interact with each other?
Assess: Drill down into the problem
Which pieces of the system are working?
Which are broken?
Define: Create a path forward
What should we prioritize?
How can we improve?
How will we know it’s working?
Act: Start small and iterate
What’s the quickest way to gain clarity and learning?
What touchpoints do you need to keep each other accountable?
At what cadence do you need to have these touchpoints?
Why now is the best time to build human-centered teams
The impact of Covid and the transition to remote-friendly work has proven that the human experience matters more than ever.
Human-centered teams can be created bottom up, allowing for more grassroots organizational transformation.
Teams that are rooted in human relationships rather than the output of their work are more trusting, agile, and collaborative.
Your turn
Now it’s your turn.
I’ve attached a template that you can use as an exercise to go through the RADA framework, understand where you are today, and define a system and the path toward improvement.
Try it out, and let me know what you think.
