How Adventure Coach experiences promote team flow
Flow occurs when the level of challenge of an activity is matched with the individual's level of skill. In other words, the activity should not be too easy, or the individual will become bored, and it should not be too difficult, or the individual will become anxious. Instead, the challenge level should be just right, leading to a sense of engagement, involvement, and enjoyment.
Flow is characterised by several key components, including:
Challenge
Adventurous activities involve challenging tasks that require complete concentration and skill. When a team is successfully navigating a course or completing a task, they can experience a collective flow state, resulting in a shared sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Immediate Feedback
Adventurous activities offer immediate feedback, which can help participants understand their progress and improve their skills. When a team sees their progress and successes in real-time, it can create a sense of momentum and motivation, contributing to a flow state.
Clear Goals
Adventurous activities typically have clear goals that require a team to work together to achieve. These goals provide a sense of purpose and direction, which can help to promote a collective flow state.
Time Pressure
Adventurous activities often have a time limit, adding an extra layer of challenge and pressure to the experience. When a team is working under time constraints, it can heighten their focus and concentration, leading to a flow state.
Shared Experience
Adventurous activities often provide a shared experience that can help to build trust and promote team cohesion. When a team is working together to overcome a challenge, it can create a sense of camaraderie and shared experience, contributing to a flow state.
Sense of Control
The individual feels a sense of control over the activity and the environment, enhancing their sense of competence and autonomy.
Team effectiveness
Google's Project Aristotle was an extensive research initiative aimed at understanding what makes teams effective. The project involved analysing data from hundreds of teams within Google and studying various team dynamics and factors. Here are the key findings from Project Aristotle:
Psychological Safety: The most important factor for team effectiveness was psychological safety. Psychological safety refers to a climate where team members feel safe to take risks, express their opinions, and be vulnerable without fear of negative consequences. Teams with higher psychological safety were more likely to collaborate, share ideas, and experiment, leading to better overall performance.
Dependability: Dependability refers to team members' reliability in completing their tasks and commitments. Teams that had members who could be counted on to deliver their work on time and fulfil their responsibilities were more successful. Dependable team members create a sense of trust and contribute to a smoother workflow.
Structure and Clarity: Teams that had clear goals, roles, and well-defined expectations performed better. When team members understand their roles and have a clear understanding of the team's objectives, it leads to better coordination and collaboration.
Meaning of Work: Teams that found their work meaningful and purposeful were more motivated and engaged. When team members connect with the purpose and value of their work, they tend to be more committed, satisfied, and productive.
Impact of Work: Teams that perceived their work as making a positive impact, either internally within the organisation or externally in the world, experienced higher levels of motivation and performance. Understanding the significance of their work and how it contributes to a larger goal or mission can be a powerful motivator.
It's important to note that Project Aristotle found that specific team composition factors, such as individual skills or personality traits, were not as significant as the team dynamics mentioned above. The key takeaway from the project is that creating a psychologically safe and supportive environment where team members can freely express themselves, trust each other, and collaborate effectively is crucial for team success.