Products You May Like
The beehive is the ultimate business case study for complex organisations andworking life today. In this article, Philip Atkinson, author of Bee Wise – 12 Leadership Lessons from Inside a Busy Hive lifts the lid on what happens in a hive and explains what we can learn about creating high performing teams in the fast moving world of business today.
A modern beehive is perfectly designed for the complex requirements and workings of a bee colony. In the height of summer up to 70,000 individual bees actually work as one single macro-organism with the beehive as the home base and their radius of foraging expanding to a circle of over 6 kilometres across. Deep in the hive lives the queen bee. She is about double the size of other bees and has only one job: to lay eggs. She sits at the top of the hierarchy and will lay up to 2,000 eggs a day: more than her own body weight, accompanied by an entourage of bees to feed and protect her. The eggs are laid in perfect hexagonal cells, the same as where honey is stored. They are all perfectly angled at six degrees up from the horizontal so that fresh runny honey doesn’t drip out. Every bee has its role, and every bee serves a purpose. Their teamwork is impeccable.
- Clarity of Roles: Every Bee Has Its Purpose
Just like in a beehive, where each bee—from the queen to the worker bee—has a clearly defined role, successful human teams thrive when each member understands their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the overall mission. In a hive, there are housekeeper bees, nurse bees, builder bees, and even guard bees. Imagine the chaos if these roles were not clearly understood and executed.In your team, this translates to ensuring everyone knows what they’re responsible for. Avoid vague job descriptions. Instead, provide clear, concise expectations and empower individuals to own their roles. When people understand their purpose within the team, they are more engaged and productive. As Timm Urschinger noted in “Bee Wise,” referencing the beehive, “everyone is clear on their role”. This clarity eliminates confusion and allows each member to contribute effectively. - Psychological Safety: A Foundation for Team Success
Psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams. Like bees in a hive trusting each other, team members need to feel secure to share ideas and concerns without fear. In today’s dynamic workplaces, fostering this safety is crucial.Creating an environment where team members feel valued and can openly express themselves is paramount. Encourage open communication, active listening, and mutual respect. When individuals feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable, it leads to greater innovation and collaboration. This sense of safety builds trust, which is the cornerstone of any successful team, enabling them to navigate challenges and achieve their goals effectively. - Communication: The Waggle Dance of Information Sharing
Bees have a sophisticated communication system called the “waggle dance”. Through this dance, scout bees share precise information about the location, distance, and quality of food sources. Similarly, in high-functioning teams, open and transparent communication is crucial.The “waggle dance” reminds us that communication is not just about sending a message; it’s about ensuring that the message is received and understood. Encourage feedback, listen actively, and create channels where team members can share information freely. Make it safe for people to ask questions and voice concerns. Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings, fosters collaboration, and ensures everyone is on the same page. Jo Filshie Browning’s response in “Bee Wise” emphasizes that the critical question for a leader is always, “What do I want my audience to do?” which requires clarity in communication. - Collaboration: The Power of the Collective
A beehive functions as a superorganism. It’s not just a collection of individual bees but a unified entity working toward a common goal. Similarly, high-functioning teams thrive on collaboration. Every member’s contribution is essential, and the team’s success depends on their ability to work together effectively.Foster a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and their contributions are recognized. Encourage teamwork, information sharing, and mutual support. Instead of working in silos, encourage team members to collaborate on projects and share their expertise. In “Bee Wise”, Ricardo Troiano discusses how resilience and sustainability are two sides of the same coin, emphasizing the importance of tapping into the breadth of a diverse workforce to capitalize on innovation. - Adaptability: Responding to the Environment
Bees are incredibly adaptable. They adjust their behavior based on changes in the environment, such as weather, food availability, and threats. In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, adaptability is crucial for teams as well.Encourage a flexible mindset within your team. Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Be prepared to adjust your plans and strategies based on changing circumstances. This adaptability can foster resilience within teams, allowing them to navigate organizational changes, market shifts, or other disruptions with greater ease. - Purpose: Sweet Honey of Shared Goals
Bees work tirelessly to produce honey, their primary source of sustenance. This shared purpose drives their actions and keeps them focused. Likewise, high-functioning teams need a clear, shared purpose to guide their efforts.Ensure everyone on the team understands the overall goals and how their work contributes to achieving those goals. When team members have a shared sense of purpose, they are more motivated, engaged, and productive. - Time for Reflection: Avoiding “Busy Bee” Overload
While the phrase “busy as a bee” is commonly used, it’s important to distinguish between being productive and being merely busy. In “Bee Wise,” we emphasize that true productivity involves quality thinking and meaningful contributions, not just constant activity. It’s also crucial to avoid burnout due to overwork.Encourage your team to take time for reflection and strategic thinking. Don’t just focus on completing tasks; focus on achieving meaningful outcomes. Focus on HOW you are working and what you are learning about you as a team, not just on WHAT you do. Martin Daubney’s response in “Bee Wise” advises pressing pause to break the cycle of busyness and reclaim our lives, highlighting that by doing less, we get more done. Encourage self-awareness and managing the emotional state to avoid stress contagion in the team.
Building a high-functioning team is an ongoing process that requires attention, effort, and a willingness to learn. By observing and learning from bees, we can gain valuable insights into how to create teams that are collaborative, communicative, adaptable, and purpose-driven. Just like a thriving beehive, a well-functioning team can achieve remarkable results, producing its own “sweet honey” of success.
Written byPhilip Atkinson.
Have you read?
The World’s Best Medical Schools.
The World’s Best Universities.
The World’s Best International High Schools.
The World’s Best Business Schools.
The World’s Best Fashion Schools.
The World’s Best Hospitality And Hotel Management Schools.