Not a code of conduct! A team charter! A charter written by and for team members that defines how they will collaborate.
What should be included in a team charter? Anything relevant to the smooth functioning of the team. Here are some examples that seem representative to me, inspired by the MBTI:
📋 Communication: Preferably written or verbal. Introverts will prefer written communication, while extroverts will prefer verbal. What is the right balance between the two? What should be written down? What should be discussed verbally?
📋 Frequency of interaction (especially in open spaces). Is it okay to interrupt someone whenever you want? Should there be moments when everyone can work in their own bubble and focus on their tasks? Again, introverts will be bothered by frequent interruptions, while extroverts will more easily appreciate interactions. If you have a lot of extroverts on the team, forget about ‘bubble’ moments. It won’t last. It’s better for introverts to isolate themselves when they need to.
📋 Level of detail in shared information. Some people need a lot of details (Sensing types), while others need to ‘get the concept’ before diving into the details (Intuitive types). If you’re in intuitive mode and receive an email full of details, you might skim it and miss important information. If you’re in sensing mode and receive a three-line summary, it might leave you confused. To avoid misunderstandings, the team must clarify how they want to communicate (via email, in meetings, etc.).
📋 Flexibility of schedules. Some people are very flexible with time and space, while others prefer things to be more organized. It’s important to discuss whether being late to meetings is acceptable and by how much time. If a meeting needs to be canceled, how does that happen? Are last-minute cancellations acceptable, and if so, under what circumstances?
Personally, I prefer to get calls when there is something to discuss, even if I have to receive 20 calls a day. I need the right level of detail: too much detail bores me, too little leaves me confused. I like things to be organized. I don’t particularly appreciate last-minute cancellations. And if there’s no explanation why or no alternative is offered, it really annoys me. Let’s just say that working with an introvert who is very flexible with schedules and writes one-line emails isn’t easy every day. Without our team charter, collaboration would be impossible. One would end up imposing his style on others.
👇👇👇 These are just a few examples. Want a more complete list of all the points that can be included in a team charter? Just ask.
Does your team have a team charter ?
