{"id":10661,"date":"2017-11-18T09:30:49","date_gmt":"2017-11-18T09:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hnews.hult.edu\/?p=10661"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:50:51","slug":"what-leaders-need-to-know-about-the-future-of-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hult.edu\/blog\/what-leaders-need-to-know-about-the-future-of-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"What leaders need to know about the future of teams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teams are set to play a critical role in the organization of the future.\u00a0 In fast-moving markets, traditional hierarchical structures are giving way to agile teams that can respond quickly to new challenges, solve problems and innovate at speed.\u00a0 In a new book, faculty Mike Brent and Fiona Dent from Hult’s Executive Education<\/a> campus, Ashridge, look at the challenges this poses for team leaders and give advice on how they need to respond.<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong>\u00a0The march of the Millennials<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Generation Y employees will play a big part in the teams of the future, so it\u2019s important for team leaders to understand how to get the best out of them.\u00a0 Our research shows that Millennials want challenging and interesting work, flexible working patterns and frequent praise.\u00a0 They want informal, friendly relationships with their managers, and for their bosses to share their knowledge and experience with them.\u00a0 They are digital natives who have grown up with technology and expect to be able to use it to its fullest extent in the workplace.\u00a0 Much of this is alien to team leaders, who have grown up against a more hierarchical, slow-moving backdrop.\u00a0 Trying to force Millennials into what is rapidly becoming an outdated mode is futile.\u00a0 If leaders want to get the best out of their Generation Y team members, they need to tap into what motivates and engages them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/strong>Multi-generational teams<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The typical team of the future will be made up not just of different cultures, but also different generations.\u00a0 Demographic changes, coupled with changes in pension legislation, mean that \u2018Baby Boomer\u2019 employees will be working well beyond traditional retirement age.\u00a0 The challenge for team leaders will be to get the generations working together harmoniously.\u00a0 Over 50s will need to adjust to new ways of working, embrace new technologies and come to terms with the fact they may be reporting to people from a less experienced, younger generation.\u00a0 Millennials will need to focus on developing relational and interpersonal skills so that they can work effectively with older colleagues and learn from their knowledge and experience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/strong>New ways of working<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The world is changing too quickly for us to be able to ignore the collective intelligence of the team. What this means is that the way teams work together and are led is set to change radically in the future.\u00a0 Instead of teams having a single leader who is in charge, every single team member will have to develop the ability to both lead and follow.\u00a0 Team leaders and team members will have to develop their skills in areas such as facilitation, motivation and managing change.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The ability for teams to learn on their feet is vital.\u00a0 The environment is changing quickly and the capacity of teams to learn new skills and adapt needs to keep pace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4.<\/strong>\u00a0Networks of teams<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the future, it\u2019s likely that everyone will have a network of teams to which they belong.\u00a0 Research suggests that already, only 38 per cent of companies are organized by function, so we will see more and more cross-functional, multi-cultural and virtual teams.\u00a0\u00a0 Teams will be forming and disbanding more rapidly as business needs change.\u00a0\u00a0 Team leaders will have to develop the ability to create teams, get them performing effectively and then disband them on a positive note.\u00a0 They will also have to be skillful in their ability to collaborate, flex their style and relate to a wide range of people \u2013 and to equip their team members to do the same.\u00a0\u00a0 Team-based rather than individual reward is also becoming more common.\u00a0 This is a highly emotional area that will demand a step change in attitude and approach and real skill on the part of the leader.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

5.\u00a0<\/strong>Building engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Engaged teams work more effectively.\u00a0 Research by Gallup shows that engaged employees have 22% higher productivity, 65% lower turnover and 41% fewer defects.\u00a0 At a time when employee engagement is at an all-time low, the challenge for team leaders will be how to keep team members engaged.\u00a0 Having a strategic vision and being able to translate this into clear objectives is key to success.\u00a0 People need to understand why what they do matters, and how it fits into the bigger picture.\u00a0 Leaders also need to make sure people feel valued and appreciated for their efforts and to show an active interest in team members, their aspirations and what drives them.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Leadership of Teams:\u00a0 How to develop and inspire high-performance teamwork\u2019, Mike Brent and Fiona Elsa Dent, part of the\u00a0Bloomsbury\/Hult series<\/a>, 2017.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

If you would like to find out more about our business programs,\u00a0download a brochure here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Grow your leadership capabilities with an MBA in international business<\/a> at Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog A new model for leadership development in the 21st century<\/a>, or give your career a boost with our Masters in International Business<\/a>. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Teams are set to play a critical role in the organization of the future.\u00a0 In fast-moving markets, traditional hierarchical structures are giving way to agile teams that can respond quickly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":10662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[114],"tags":[212,204,361],"yoast_head":"\nWhat leaders need to know about the future of teams<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Traditional hierarchical structures are giving way to agile teams. 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