Decentralised support?
During my time in the service, I was part of many high-stress, high-stakes missions where the success of the operation often hinged on the strength of our team dynamic.
As a former Royal Marine, the importance of decentralised support and the responsibility that each team member has in ensuring the wellbeing of the team was paramount in and out of the field. During my time in the service, I was part of many high-stress, high-stakes missions where the success of the operation often hinged on the strength of our team dynamic.
In these situations, it was crucial that each team member was able to provide support and backup to one another, regardless of rank or specialty. This kind of decentralised support allowed us to operate efficiently, respond quickly to changing circumstances, and maintain a high level of morale, even in the face of adversity.
We had a saying in the Royal Marines, “the buddy-buddy system”, and it was a fundamental principle that underlined every aspect of our operations. Whether it was a simple matter of sharing resources, providing a shoulder to lean on, or stepping up to fill a gap in the team, we were all expected to do our part to keep the team functioning at its best.
The same principle applies to any team, whether it be in the military, in business, or in everyday life. The wellbeing of the team is the responsibility of each and every member, and the success of the team depends on everyone pulling together.
Hybrid and remote teams can face several challenges when it comes to maintaining the wellbeing/ performance of the team. Some of the key challenges include:
Communication difficulties: Remote and hybrid teams can struggle with communication, especially when it comes to maintaining clear and consistent lines of communication between team members. This can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a lack of collaboration.
Isolation and loneliness: Remote workers, in particular, can feel isolated and lonely, which can impact their mental and emotional wellbeing. This can be especially challenging for remote workers who do not have a lot of face-to-face interactions with their team members, who .
Maintaining team cohesion: Hybrid and remote teams may struggle with maintaining a strong sense of team cohesion, as team members may not have regular opportunities to interact and bond with one another.
Managing workloads and accountability: In remote and hybrid teams, it can be challenging to manage workloads and ensure that team members are held accountable for their tasks and responsibilities. This can lead to a lack of motivation and a decrease in productivity.
Balancing work and personal life: Remote workers, in particular, may struggle with balancing their work and personal life, as they may not have clear boundaries between the two. This can lead to burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
It's important for remote and hybrid teams to be proactive in addressing these challenges and promoting the wellbeing of their team members. This can include regular check-ins, virtual team-building activities, clear communication channels, and setting boundaries between work and personal life. By working together and being mindful of these challenges, we can maintain strong team dynamics and ensure the wellbeing of our team members.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that everyone has to be an expert in everything, but it does mean that everyone needs to be prepared to help out when necessary. By working together, we can create a supportive, cohesive, and effective team that can achieve great things.
So, if you’re part of a team, don’t wait for someone else to step up – take the initiative and start looking after your mates. By doing so, you’ll not only improve the wellbeing of your team, but you’ll also help to build a culture of decentralised support that will benefit everyone in the long run.
