Teams are filled with humans. Humans are unique, messy, emotional creatures which means it is impossible to apply logic and process to leading teams. However, understanding each others strengths, weaknesses, preferences and working styles can dramatically improve team performance.
Rather than members clashing over misunderstandings, judgement and assumptions, they move to understanding and appreciation.
Whether you're forming a new team, introducing new people to an existing team, or trying to improve issues within an existing team, team profiling can be powerful tool.
Now there are plenty of tools on the market, from Belbin, to wolfpacks, Strengthsfinder to Everything DiSC, the behaviours are the same and with a good facilitator, you can quickly achieve better team dynamics. I use Everything DiSC as the technology is easy to use, creates an online platform with comparison reports and creates a non-emotive common language that is easy to remember and understand.
Individuals within the team complete an individual assessment then bring the information to create a team profile and culture report. You can see who is alike and the challenges that may bring, or complete opposites which can compliment each other, or cause major conflict.
Successful teams don't necessarily have the smartest people on them, but often the with the right blend of behavioural styles that both reflect the work to be done and the culture. Imagine a team of data analysts who valued stability, logic and processes. They would work fairly well together. Then imagine the new hires were highly creative, spontaneous and gregarious characters. Now the team might need these people to engage with stakeholders, create ideas and shake things up a bit, but without understanding the needs of each other, clashes would occur. You might also get teams with many dominant characters who are butting heads and in constant competition with each other, yet you need collaboration. Something needs to shift.
Understanding the individual, then the team profiles, helps members to understand each other and helps the leader to develop the team, assign work and nurture dynamics. The team will identify where the gaps are in their team or why certain tasks could be allocated based on working styles for more effectiveness.
Now, humans personalities are pretty fixed, but we are also very adaptable. We can all apply the skills and behaviours of other styles. However, some elements take more effort and energy. I can do numbers, process and detail, but I don't like it and it takes more mental energy. I would much rather delegate to someone who finds this motivating and easy.
Imagine if a team was full of creative ideas people, but had no-one to actually deliver the project!
This doesn't mean that you need nine people in each of your teams, since each person can take on more than one Team Role.