Based on Newman’s (2011) work on innovation teams and SSA’s work with collaborative teams across the public sector, we noted that high performing and innovative multi-agency teams were built on four foundations: hearts and behaviours, a shared approach, a common purpose and leveraging each other’s organisations.
What marks out successful collaborative teams is the level of trust they have built over time and the clarity and commitment they have for their common purpose. As we previously outlined, it’s all about trust and vision. Successful teams spend time at the outset building trust (hearts and minds) and a shared vision (common purpose). These are the first two building blocks for successful collaborative team working.
Next the team must determine how it makes change happen. This has two aspects: a common approach to innovation (shared approach), and a willingness to go back into their own organisations when needed to ensure that their resources are leveraged behind the noble cause (leveraging your organisation).
This Unit looks at the building blocks of successful multi-disciplinary teams, the different types of teams that you might experience across a PCN, and the roles involved in a multi-disciplinary team