A great organization requires a great team, which is not defined by its collective skill set, cumulative experience, or education. A great team just feels different. High performing teams have a “buzz” about them; you know it when you feel it.

Chemistry in the workplace has no precise, universally agreed-upon definition, but the research on it looks at mutual respect, collaboration, and the amount of collective effort expended to produce high-quality results. It requires having confidence in each other’s abilities, prioritizing the organization’s goals and interests over individual self-interest, and actively participating in the growth and success of the team.

Chemistry doesn’t necessarily entail personal friendship, but it does require trust, respect, and a willingness to support and assist one another when times get tough. Teams thrive when the people in them choose to work together.

This isn’t to say that expertise isn’t valuable. In a work environment characterized by segregated tasks and siloed performance targets, expertise holds undeniable value. However, in a collaborative setting, the importance of chemistry cannot be understated. Synthesis can’t happen without chemistry, which makes it the binding agent that ensures team cohesion. Further, cohesion then fosters a harmonious and supportive atmosphere for effective collaboration and problem-solving.

With AI advancing at a rapid pace, we will inevitably arrive at a place where the only skills that remain unique to us are “soft” ones like empathy, negotiation, relationship development, and inspiring others. It will be our human connection—our chemistry—that binds us and enables us to improve the world.

 

References:
Fast Company (2024, March 12) David M.M. Taffet: The Secret Ingredient to Successful Team Building is Not What You Think