Here's what we think

What is a CATeam™?

The term CATeam™ (Complex Adaptive Team) is used to describe groups of people working together in ways that are self-organising, flexible and responsive to changing organisational conditions and wider environments. CATeams™ was developed by a psychologist and a social complexity scientist. It is based upon the latest research in social complexity, chaos theory, cognitive psychology and social psychology. Some principles of this work are:

• The future is uncertain. What will work best in the future is an emergent process of learning and adapting to a continuously changing world. Past success or failure gives no guarantees of future performance.
• We create the results we get through our beliefs, intentions, perceptions and behaviors.
• The whole is greater than the sum of its parts - unless the parts are not working together brilliantly.
• Quality teamwork can only be volunteered, not conscripted or bought.
• Teams and their leaders can learn the skills to unleash group brilliance.

Why is it needed?

Most teams are made up of highly intelligent and skilled individuals. These people work in teams with the belief that the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts. In theory, team intelligence and creativity should surpass that of any individual member. In practice, however, teams often fall short of their potential. While a team intellect and technical ability may be high, teams often behave in ways which reduce team creativity and productivity. This all too familiar phenomenon is due to a number of factors, such as the emotional intelligence and 'soft skills' of the team members, the style of leadership and the culture of the organisation. Complex Adaptive Teams are agile and able to produce high levels of innovation and performance under changing and uncertain conditions. As teams are required to become more flexible and work under increasing pressure, the skills for Complex Adaptive Teamwork are more critical to success than ever.

Principals of Group Brilliance

• Flexible and responsive to changing organisational conditions and wider environments.
• Able to work with pressure, uncertainty and disagreement.
• Able to be self-organising and self-regulating.
• Maximise the strengths and creativity of each team member.
• Satisfies both organisational and individual needs