In my years as a team coach, I’ve unearthed a potent revelation: enhancing individual well-being and fostering high-performing teams aren’t disparate endeavours. Over the years, I’ve discerned striking overlaps between two models that epitomise these respective spheres—Google’s Aristotle Project, an in-depth examination of effective team dynamics, and Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, a seminal framework for individual well-being. The fascinating intersection between these models suggests a compelling correlation—team success and individual well-being may well be two sides of the same coin.
Google’s Aristotle Project outlined five elements central to high-performance teams: Psychological Safety, Dependability, Structure and Clarity, Meaning, and Impact. In harmony with this, Seligman’s PERMA model propounds five elements fundamental to well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. When juxtaposing these models, the pivotal role of well-being in nurturing high-performance teams becomes evident.
Psychological Safety, the bedrock of high-performing teams according to Google, harmonises with the elements of Positive Emotion and Relationships in the PERMA model. To feel secure in taking interpersonal risks, individuals must experience a sense of belonging and be surrounded by an environment brimming with positive emotions. When teams cultivate a climate of understanding, compassion, and mutual respect, they create a space for their members to express themselves authentically, fuelling innovative ideas and facilitating constructive dialogue.
Dependability, another cornerstone in Google’s model, aligns with the PERMA element of Accomplishment. Dependability encapsulates trust, reliability, and a commitment to deliver high-quality work on time. Likewise, Accomplishment is about striving towards goals with internal motivation and taking pride in our mastery and competence. Both encapsulate a robust work ethic and a sense of responsibility, instilling trust within the team and contributing to individual satisfaction and fulfilment.
Google’s third principle, Structure and Clarity, crucially underpins Seligman’s concept of Engagement. Establishing a clear comprehension of roles, expectations, and outcomes is not merely a favourable condition—it’s the bedrock upon which Engagement, or ‘flow’, is built. With structure and clarity as a firm foundation, individuals can dive fully into their tasks without the burden of ambiguity or uncertainty. This allows them to be fully immersed in their work, surrendering to the process, and leading to the state of ‘flow’. As a result, individuals contribute more effectively to their teams, bolstering overall performance and simultaneously cultivating their personal well-being. Hence, structure and clarity serve as pivotal groundwork, enabling the engagement and ‘flow’ that are essential for both team success and individual fulfilment.
The fourth element, Meaning, is a shared tenet in both models. In Google’s model, it emphasises finding a sense of purpose in one’s work or its output, while Seligman elucidates it as serving something larger than ourselves. Regardless of the context, Meaning is an essential ingredient in both individual well-being and team effectiveness. It acts as a beacon, guiding individuals through challenges and infusing their work with significance, thereby motivating them to contribute their best to the team.
Lastly, Impact in Google’s model is echoed in Seligman’s Accomplishment. Impact is the recognition that one’s work contributes to the organisation’s goals. This acknowledgement engenders a sense of accomplishment and pride, enhancing one’s self-esteem. This correlation suggests that when individuals perceive their work as impactful, they’re more likely to feel fulfilled and motivated, which feeds back into the team’s performance.
In conclusion, the correlations between Google’s Aristotle Project and Seligman’s PERMA model highlight the intricate link between individual well-being and team performance. This underscores the importance of fostering an environment that enhances individual well-being to bolster team success. As a coach, nurturing these interconnected elements provides a holistic approach towards developing high-performance teams. It emphasises that the well-being of each team member is not merely a personal affair, but a crucial factor that impacts the collective success of the team.
