Unlocking the Power of Microstructures
As teams strive to improve and deliver more with higher quality, they often focus on big-picture stuff like workflows, sprints, and team structures. However, it’s the small, everyday interactions that can have a significant impact on productivity and success. These interactions are shaped by microstructures, which are often overlooked but hold the key to unlocking a team’s full potential.
The Two Types of Structures
Every team, department, and organization is built on two types of structures: macrostructures and microstructures. Macrostructures refer to the big-picture stuff, such as organizational structure and team processes. Microstructures, on the other hand, are the small, everyday interactions that shape how teams work and interact with each other.
The Problem with Common Microstructures
Most companies rely on five common microstructures: open discussions, moderated discussions, brainstormings, status reports, and presentations. However, these microstructures are often inefficient and can stifle creativity and productivity. For example, open discussions can be dominated by a few loud voices, while brainstormings can favor the most talkative people over the best ideas.
A Better Way: Liberating Structures
Liberating Structures is a library of 33 microstructures designed to be inclusive, engaging, and productive. These microstructures are based on 10 core principles, including:
- Include and unleash everyone
- Practice deep respect for people and local solutions
- Never start without a clear purpose
- Build trust as you go
Putting Liberating Structures into Practice
One example of a liberating structure is the 1-2-4-all exercise. This exercise involves a group of 4-8 people and a prompt question, such as “What’s the biggest challenge we should focus on?” The group then goes through four phases of ideation, from individual thinking to group discussion. This exercise helps to engage everyone, limit the impact of loud voices, and create a safe space for sharing ideas.
The Benefits of Liberating Structures
Liberating structures like 1-2-4-all offer several benefits, including:
- Increased engagement and participation
- More diverse and creative ideas
- Improved collaboration and teamwork
- Enhanced productivity and efficiency
Conclusion
Microstructures may seem like a small thing, but they can have a significant impact on a team’s success. By embracing liberating structures, teams can unlock their full potential and achieve greater productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you’re a team leader or a team member, it’s time to take a closer look at your microstructures and see how you can improve them.