The collapse of high-performing teams is often linked to a phenomenon known as the "social identity threat." When teams rapidly grow, their social identities fragment, leading to decreased cohesion and increased conflict. This can be seen in the case of Google's Project Oxygen, where a 2013 study found that high-performing teams were more likely to experience fragmentation and social identity threats. The common mistake professionals make is to focus on individual talent and ignore the importance of team cohesion. By emphasizing individual achievement over teamwork, managers inadvertently create an environment where team members are more likely to prioritize their own interests over the team's goals. This can lead to a loss of trust, decreased collaboration, and ultimately, team collapse.
ren
The Unlikely Reason Some Teams Stall, Despite Being Talented
More than 80% of high-performing teams collapse within two years of rapid growth, defying conventional wisdom.
This phenomenon was first identified by social psychologist Henri Tajfel in the 1970s, and has since been studied extensively in the fields of organizational behavior and team dynamics. Studies have shown that teams with strong social identities tend to outperform those without. The implications of this research are broad, and can be applied to any team or organization.
The social identity threat is closely related to the concept of "groupthink," which was first identified by psychologist Irving Janis in the 1970s. Groupthink occurs when a team becomes so cohesive and focused on its goals that it ignores potential risks and downsides. In this way, the social identity threat and groupthink can be seen as two sides of the same coin, and can have devastating consequences for teams that neglect either of these phenomena.