TEAM AMONG TEAMS. WHY IS A SMALL TEAM AN EFFECTIVE COMBAT UNIT?

Abstract

Building an ideal small team capable of solving problems that are beyond the capacity of an ordinary group of specialists is a long and exhausting process. This article presents the ability to work in a small team as the most valuable personality trait. Describing the small team philosophy as highly effective, the author of the article presents it as a reference model of gifted and talented individuals, a well-coordinated combat unit, a special centre of leadership, flexibility and psychological compatibility. Revealing the effectiveness of a small team in the symbolic range of two images of “Simplicity”–“Complexity”, the author derives the symbolic rule of “Simplicity”: the effectiveness of success is rooted in the ability to work only with small teams of smart people. It is proved that as soon as the number of people in a team increases, “Complexity” is automatically introduced. The article also describes the philosophy of a two-person team. It is proved how much more effective, constructive and motivated it can be compared to a large team. It is highlighted that the key to the success of a two-person team is the holistic dominance of five components: 1) psychological safety; 2) reliability; 3) structure and clarity; 4) awareness; 5) influence. It is found out that a small team is a homogeneous combat unit, since it is designed to promote the origination of a new, emergent mind, the need for which increases significantly in the conditions of high danger, constant change and uncertainty. The author emphasises that the coordinated work of a small team in a dangerous environment requires rapid adaptability, constant reassessment of the situation, discussion and coordination. In such a team, its members, sending signals to each other every minute, decoding the responses, should understand every step and intention of their partner, as this is the key to life and victory.