Maximising Impact in Small Teams
The Significance of Cross-Collaboration in Small Teams
Since joining Athyna at its inception in February last year, I’ve come to understand that small teams pack a big punch. The agility and close-knit nature allow for quick decisions and rapid execution. Beginning as a team of two and growing now to four since has accentuated the necessity of effective cross-collaboration as the volume of work increases, becoming not just beneficial, but essential when challenged by limited resources and the potential for skill gaps.
Small teams inherently benefit from streamlined communication and a shared sense of purpose. Team members often wear multiple hats, fostering a versatile skillset. Joining Athyna as the first team member, a robust onboarding process ensured I was quickly versed in key processes and tools to approach client tasks. Yet, theory without application is lost. On average it takes 66 days for a habit to form – skills are developed through applied learning, as are effective ways of working. My onboarding, like Athyna’s new starter, involves active learning through first exploring process through demonstration and secondly applying the process independently – crucial in familiarising with a team’s workflow.
Cross-collaboration addresses resource limitations by maximising the potential of each team member and filling skill gaps through knowledge sharing. As our team grows to four, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that expertise is spread throughout the team rather than siloed.
Clear communication channels: Establish easily accessible platforms for team members to share ideas, updates, and concerns across departments or specialties.
Defined roles and goals: Ensure each team member understands their specific responsibilities and how they contribute to the overall project objectives.
Regular meetings: Schedule frequent check-ins where team members can sync up, share progress, and address challenges together.
This ensures that small teams not only improve the quality of output but also develop more well-rounded professionals capable of contributing across multiple areas. The understanding and fundamental understanding of team responsibilities and processes ensuring a void is not created with the absence of members or slowed by an increase in work volume.
Cross-collaboration is not just a buzzword – it's an approach that can elevate small teams to new heights. By breaking down silos, fostering knowledge sharing, and promoting a culture of collective problem-solving from, small teams can punch well above their weight. Embrace cross-collaboration today, and watch your small team achieve big things.