Team Flow

Have you ever been so engrossed in a task that you lost track of time and accomplished more than you thought possible? This state of mind is known as flow, and it's something that high-performing teams experience regularly.

Flow is a state of mind in which people have maximum effectiveness and maximum engagement. When you're in flow, you're completely focused on the task at hand, and your productivity and creativity are at their peak. In fact, a study by McKinsey found that executives in flow were five times more effective than their non-flowing counterparts.

So what exactly is flow? It's a physiological state defined by certain brain waves and a cocktail of performance hormones. In this state, the brain is producing alpha and theta waves, which are associated with relaxation and deep focus. The body is also producing a mix of hormones, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins, which help to increase motivation, focus, and pleasure.

Teams at a high level can get into synchronised flow, where each individual is in flow and working together towards a common goal. When your team finds their work purposeful and enjoys working together for the sake of spending time together, work has become autotelic or enjoyable for its own sake. This means that the team is motivated not just by external rewards, but also by the satisfaction of doing meaningful work and working with people they enjoy.

When your team is in flow, time slips away and huge feats are accomplished. You may look up at the clock and realise that several hours have passed without you even noticing. This is the power of flow, and it's something that high-performing teams strive to achieve regularly.

Flow is a state of mind that leads to maximum effectiveness and engagement. When teams are in flow, they can accomplish amazing things and enjoy the process along the way. By creating an environment that fosters purposeful work and enjoyable team dynamics, you can help your team get into flow and achieve their goals with greater ease and satisfaction.