How Technology Transforms Teams

Close your eyes, and imagine this. 

Your team is hard at work on the next milestone of a big project, and your team members (including yourself) are confident, not only in their role, but confident themselves as a whole. And in that moment, they work in unison and the team lead has nothing but positive feedback. 

If only it were that simple, right? In reality, it takes self-awareness, dedication, understanding, and, nowadays, technology to make it a dream come true.

Today, AI powered tools, like Prism, make it easier for every individual in an organization from the top down, to be more aware of themselves and their peers on a deeper level. 

With all of that rich data, it’s possible to create harmony within organizations. What naturally comes is collaboration, trust, and  understanding, and as a result, innovation. 

Unlocking the Power of Team Data

There is no team that doesn’t have unique personalities, quirks, strengths, communication styles, and even pet peeves! Diversity is what makes a great team—but human nature often kicks in and can lead into some friction and tense situations. 

That’s where technology and software are able to gather psychometric data, deeply analyze it through AI, and deliver highly personalized results. 

So what does this all mean, and how can it benefit teams? 

It’s not just about knowing plain strengths and weaknesses. It’s almost like having a cheat sheet on any given individual about how, where, and why that certain teammate shows up at their absolute best when they do. On the flip side, it may also be having a guide of “signs” of when that same teammate of yours is having a bad day, and need some support.

Imagine having all that information ready for you as you walk into a meeting, with possible recommendations to your team like:

• “Joel prefers brainstorming sessions to be open-ended and creative—give him space to let ideas flow!”

• “Diane thrives with structure and diligence, dates, timelines, and to-dos—kick off with clear goals to keep her engaged and free from being overwhelmed by Joel’s creative mind.”

Used in this light, it may just be the tech we’ve been waiting for to nurture stronger, effective, and self-aware teams.

From Data to Taking Action

Sometimes it’s information overload. One of the biggest challenges people face is turning that awareness into action. It’s great to know that you’re more detail-oriented or that a teammate thrives under pressure, but now – how do you use that information to your advantage?

Here’s an example to help illustrate:
30 minutes before a meeting, a manager browses through Prism (and that rich data we were talking about) and learns that most of their team heavily leans toward structured, task-driven personalities. It could be beneficial for the manager to approach this meeting with clear objectives, intentions, and milestones or goals, as it could play to the strengths of the team. 

At the same time, it could encourage the manager to challenge the team, slightly nudging them outside their comfort zone, with spontaneous activities or brainstorming, with intentions to spark new ideas, and ultimately, even grow to think beyond the box once in a while. 

Another scenario?

A cross-functional team is struggling with establishing clear communication, because well, all humans tend to communicate, approach, and problem-solve differently. No surprise there! 

Some folks are quick to think of solutions or make decisions, while others need some time to sit and think for a while. Learning from the datasets, and by having each person’s communication and critical thinking style could ultimately result in seamless communication. 

The speedsters wouldn’t have to rush the deep thinkers, and the deep thinkers would know not to take forever. Identifying these tendencies and integrating into workflows is one step closer to ensuring every voice is heard, improving collaboration across the board.

A World of Information in Our Pockets

Whether you’re in a small startup or large enterprise, the ability to access this data and apply these learnings is an absolute game-changer. It’s able to empower every team member and every leader to have a better understanding of self-awareness, but also the team and humans around them.

The best part is that it is highly accessible on your mobile phone. While you’re preparing for a presentation or tackling the next big project, you’d be able to learn about the colleagues you’d be collaborating with, or the panel you’re presenting to. 

And since it’s stored on the cloud, what we learn about each other isn’t easily forgotten. It’s there when you need it the most!

Take the First Step

If you’re looking to be more connected, more productive, and more resilient, it starts with understanding. Artificial intelligence and technology will not magically solve your problem, that is just not how it works. Technology gives us the data and recommendations, but it’s the humans in the mix that make all the difference.

Take a moment this week to reflect on your team. What are the areas where there could be more clarity, alignment, or solving?

Is it communication, navigating friction and challenging moments, or building lasting relationships? 

Now ask yourself, “Do I have the said tools to find that clarity, to make that alignment, to solve those problems?” 

Food for thought: those tools may be closer than you think!  

Wondering how technology is redefining team performance?

Drop a comment below, and we’ll give you free access to take the Prism self-assessment.

Once you’ve tried it, we’d love to hear your honest feedback!