What strategies would you recommend for fostering a more productive and cooperative team environment when it seems that the team's members are not fully invested in the product?
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Top comments (10)
I swear to baby-j you can't force a thing in this world anymore. We're all burnt-out and just trying our best to get from point-a to point-b. Feels kind of like life is that movie Gladiator. And we're out here shouting "Are you not entertained?" And people just want to be at home, in their pjs, watching cat videos with their cats. But really I think we're on the precipice of another large swing in history (in such a short time). For better or for worse.
You might get more lemonade from others.
Are you calling Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius burnt out?
Just kidding, I feel you and the only option for better is web3. The general frustration is a result of terrible leadership. We must decentralise!
I think Web3 is happening regardless. I'm just not sure as a whole how healthy we will fair as a whole. Because I don't feel as if we're healthier as a people from this constant blast of technology. I mean I love talking with people online. I equally love talking with people face-to-face. I think we've lost not just some, but a good chunk of our healthier life-skills. I'm not saying that we must be in offices in order to live healthy, productive lives. In fact, to be honest, in a way working isn't conducive to that in any capacity. I don't think the majority of us work in any natural way. I mean more so that technology is addictive. I need to see a screen daily, or my brain feels sad. When I am in nature, I shove my phone into an abyss. But I'm never more than a rooms-span from it. I know this has changed me. I know I'm not alone in this.
I just don't think in general that leaning into things that control you in *unhealthy ways is a positive. Yet equally, I'm talking with you here on the internet and I have absolutely no idea where you're located. I have stayed in touch with my loved ones, regardless of where I've lived. I have more potential earning power than I would if I could not work remotely. I'm not sure if it's because I am jaded from where I am, or if it's because I am truly worried about the masses. I feel like we've lost a good chunk of self-awareness, presence, and communication skills. And are losing more every day.
Equally, I'm not sure what can fix this. As we lose gathering spaces, interests in those spaces, financial gaps grow, and our Earth seems in peril. It's rough, because I'm not saying I'm above any of this. But I am worried, because knowing who you are and how to communicate your thoughts and feelings are important skills. Else you can lose yourself in a sea of noise, and walk through life a hungry ghost. It just bothers me.
And yet again, I'm not saying that I don't see other's humanity. I am just noting that I am worried that we're not growing in a healthy direction as a people, due to excess influence of technology. But I suppose equally we're stuck, because people are afraid of change. So that's a double-edged sword.
Let me share two experiences I have had the chance to make in my life with you that can explain better where I stand on this.
The first one I was fortunate enough to make often in my previous life. I was born in Germany, and my family has a cabin in the mountains of nearby Austria. It's a forty-five-minute hike up there. There's no electricity and no running water. You must walk to the well to get water and fire a wood oven inside to prepare food. This is the most peaceful place in the world. No cellphones, no screens. Your life is reduced to a hard, bare minimum. The "natives" of these mountain valleys live a tough life, but they are happy. I agree that nature has a healing effect on you. Until you crave the modern conveniences of a hot shower again, that is. One thing I disagree with is the importance of the ability to communicate thoughts and especially feelings. You won't find chatty people in the Alps.
I've also, more recently, since I am living in Thailand now, had the opportunity to live the life of a Theravada Buddhist monk for nine days. I have a limited command of the Thai language, so for me, being a monk mostly meant to wake up around 4.30 for Vipassana meditation. After that we would go "Bintabaht". All your food as a monk comes from alms since you are not allowed to handle money. You walk through the streets of town barefoot, stopping for people who donate your food and say a prayer for them in return. This life is even more reduced to simplicity than the life of the people living in the Alps. Both share long periods of silence and a willingness to overcome struggle. From both experiences, I have gained mental strength. To me, the ultra-convenience and demand for emotional integrity that the Western civilization celebrates are the root causes for the unhealthy way you describe. Add a touch of Atheism to this, the loss of the ability to believe in something greater than oneself.
Real Kafka on the Shore moment for you there =)! I would agree, an absence of external influence outside of natural ones can be quite powerful and even expressly terrifying at moments. I've lived personally with and without, and understand the power of modern conveniences. I hear what you say about the absence of chatter. I am a strong believer that where there is life, there is noise. That all things communicate in their own way. While there are things that are difficult to communicate, I think it is necessary in order to bridge the gap between the self and other. That and respect.
I think there's a whole bunch of different ways to communicate. In my head I just broke down the physical communication of your journey. Goal -> Cabin -> Every step taken, every space held an expression of self -> Cabin being a non-natural state to hold space -> utilizing resources of the land an expression of holding state -> the journey back a re-establishment of the prior connections -> Ultimately gaining an experience that can be reflected on and shared with others.
On Buddhism as experienced in other countries, I hear you on the commentary of humble acts and shared silence. I am mixed, and one side of my family is Buddhist, I have practiced on and off depending on if I am near a temple or not. Although I'd like to think that I practice some of their idealism regularly. I think though, in moments of meditation many experiences are influenced by strong non-verbal communication. Humans influence other humans, and that groups of humans set on a specific goal can be quite powerful. I strongly believe it's a key element in the profound affect that group meditation has.
But there are also elements of Buddhism that I do no triumph. To be honest, any organized religion. I think many are utilized as a means of control over the masses. While some aspects, such as instilling tradition can be quite beautiful. Tradition also tends to see in a singular vision, and stands in the way of change. And life is change, life is constant change. I suppose though, the biggest issue I have with Buddhism as a whole I can speak from as a poc. I think many Asians have a lack of sense of self when it comes to personal identity. I believe that a large cause of this is not because we're born with some intrinsic differences in our brains, but because of cultural norms - enforced by religion. It tells the humble man to be humbler, even if they are in pain or in need. It enforces blind resilience when in actuality we need open compassion from every sect of humanity towards one another.
Which would lean towards something more utilitarian/socialist - which would mean that individuals in positions of power would lose said power in name of egalitarianism. So it's just not going to happen. But also, two more comments: The western world - as you comment has fetishized "foreign" idealogy for as long as colo met nial. But if you boil some things down, things like alms are less fantastical then it seems. Because it's an expected ritual, and there's nothing extraordinary about it in that sense. It's basically just a tithe. Likewise, I'm not sure how it works in Thailand, but I know in some sects children step forward to live as monks and nuns for their families. Many living in this manner well into adulthood. To them regardless of intention, all actions are second nature through the expression of ritual. But in order to remain this way, you practically have to live in a bubble. Because it is not sustainable in modern society.
The last thing that always makes me laugh is perhaps the most superficial person I've ever met was a monk. So that always makes me laugh. But it's irrelevant ultimately. Spending the time we know we have, as we want - within our own means - that seems to be the most important thing in life. It sounds like you're living yours. That's good stuff.
p.s. - Just because I am not actively practicing an organized religion does not make me spiritual. I think a lot of individuals are more spiritual than they might think/admit - over atheistic. In fact, I bet you there's a sea of scientist who feel that way. Even on this site =P
Respect is a good point you bring up. After living in Thailand for eight years now, I feel respect is the missing ingredient in modern Western culture. I am a Nak Muay, I live a Muay Thai life, quite literally, I am living in a gym and this life is all about respect, mostly for the higher skill of your trainer (Who could kick the shit out of you if you wouldn't respect him. :)) The way "my people" speak, the questions they sometimes ask, seem weird to me often now.
There is a lot of non-verbal communication going on in this culture, and we talk and shoot the shit too (not during training), but it never has this "occupying" quality of Western chatter. There is always this distance of respect that I have learned to appreciate so much and that leaves space for individual excellence. The egalitarianism of the West is what bothers me so much nowadays, it's always the weak people keeping the standard low with their complaints and whatnot, this is the main problem of socialism to me. People are too sympathetic for sorry asses :) The fact is, at this raw level of physical challenge, some harsh truths come out. Men and women aren't the same. Your willingness to endure pain and struggle directly reflects how good of a fighter you can be. It's called having a strong heart among Nak Muay and it's simply undeniable.
This is something that doesn't resonate with where Western culture is heading today, with its paradigm of emotional integrity. I see how this could be instrumentalized negatively, I understand where you come from with your resilience argument. I feel when it comes to this though, Thailand is truly special, because the people here manage to keep a balance between respect for individual achievement and social warmth, if that makes sense.
By the way, I am not a fan of organized religion, even the Buddist monasteries suffer from the same corruption any institution inevitably installs. Less than the Christian church in Germany it seems to me at least, but existant. I truly despise the Catholic Church these days. I valued the individual experience I was able to make as a monk, that's the takeaway for me.
Hope you are at a good point in life too. Appreciate the conversation. There is so much more to be said about this. Cheers for now. ;-)
Don't focus on productivity, focus on team health and indivduals' needs.
Create a no-blame culture. Focus on the good communication and collaboration between the team. Create safe spaces, like retros so people can speak their mind and solutions to problems can be found together. Remember to celebrate the good and work together to improve the bad.
This is hyper intelligent. A no-blame culture is a tough place to reach, considering many cultural lessons come from a place of shame/blame/punishment. Would more than likely have individuals who would otherwise stay quiet, speak up. I wonder what external influences would come into play though, as you can stop someone from saying something but you can't stop them from thinking that same something. So if you've got your crayon box of a team, what's to keep individuals who drip-feed shame flourishing. Yet again, there's so many spaces where that's the norm, I suppose they could just go find one of those. Just kicking that around my head, but I think no-blame is a wonderful goal.
You're right.
Creating a preserving a no-blame culture needs to be very intentional, with leadership support and attention. Having said that, IMO this can even be implemented at a team level either in a grassroots fashion or as a company pilot.
The tools and methods need to be constantly reassessed and tweaked. They may even require professional help. Having said that, working at a company that embraced this has changed my outlook on the possibilities.
I think the three keys to productivity are:
Of course, all these are easier said than done 😉