Where Are We Going Out After the Meeting?

OK Steve, how does this apply to agile teams then?  I’m glad you asked me that.  The teams which I have seen be the most successful are the teams who actually spend some time out of the office together.  Not just crazy team building exercises (kudos to the VersionOne PS team for soundly beating our Services team in WhirlyBall) but also just casual get-togethers.  Getting out of the office to just let your hair down is a great way to get beyond the cold, stark realities of the office.

Some of the teams I’ve been working with have developed this kind of a cadre at several different levels.  I’ve seen it not only with specific teams, but also with some of the more successful management teams.  They have developed a non-verbal communication style that makes it easy for them to understand and support each other, as well as their teams.  And I’ve seen them in no uncertain terms call each other out, asking hard questions and getting just as hard answers.  No hard feelings, just good honest communication. I have found that teams who are able to go out from time to time are able to communicate better. They develop a common frame of reference and are able to relate on a more comfortable basis.  This comes in handy when they need to start communicating things that aren’t necessarily good news.  Or asking someone to step up if they are falling behind.  These communications shouldn’t happen while out; but being comfortable with each other makes it easier to have those conversations back at the office.