Team of Teams

I vividly remember a recent conversation with a leadership team during a two-day workshop focused on the role of leaders. The discussion included the typical military example, illustrating a top-down approach, where leaders give instructions and others execute them. It was during this conversation that I introduced them to General Stanley McChrystal’s approach, which he developed during his experience in Iraq while combating Al-Qaeda. It’s about the shift from traditional hierarchical models to agile, interconnected teams capable of rapid decision-making and collaborative problem-solving. By the end of our discussion, we concluded together that it was a promising path to follow, given their dynamic and highly unpredictable business context.

At the core of "Team of Teams" is the concept of fostering a culture of transparency, shared consciousness, and decentralized decision-making to enhance agility and responsiveness. It includes breaking down silos, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and empowering individuals at all levels to contribute meaningfully to the overarching mission.

I genuinely believe that McChrystal demonstrates how the challenges they faced in Iraq apply to countless businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations, transforming organizations of all sizes.

Raluca Răschip

Co-founder Teamology Institute