In team dynamics, the conversation often centers around two crucial concepts: evaluating your team and understanding your team. While they may seem similar, each serves a different purpose and contributes uniquely to your team's success. But which one holds more weight? Which one is more important in the long run?
The Case for Team Evaluation
Team evaluation involves assessing both individual and collective performance within a team, using metrics, performance reviews, and structured feedback systems.
Establishing clear performance metrics is the first step in effective team evaluation. These metrics can include productivity levels, quality of work, and even interpersonal dynamics. For instance, a study by Gallup revealed that teams that track and understand their productivity metrics are 20% more efficient than those that do not. In optometric education, we honestly aren't good at this. We are good at piecing things together and scrambling to get things done when a deadline is approaching, but it that OK? No, the reality is that quantifying aspects of team performance allows leaders to identify areas of strength and pinpoint where improvement is needed. Evaluating your team with specific benchmarks can lead to more informed decisions regarding promotions, rewards, and necessary training initiatives.
Through an regularly scheduled evaluation process, you can uncover specific skills gaps within your team. For example, a new faculty member may have little to no experience with research. They my not understand the grant process or even proper research methodology. Identifying these gaps allows academic leaders to plan targeted development initiatives or assign mentors to help develop the faculty member's work. When skill sets are balanced effectively, team performance often improves. In fact, 75% of managers believe that skill gaps lead to reduced productivity and innovation, highlighting the importance of addressing these gaps promptly.
Does this process of evaluation lead to increased accountability? In the business world, most leaders would argue that by assessing individual contributions, team members are held responsible for their actions and decisions. This alignment with team goals encourages everyone to take ownership of their roles. In fact, they say that within high-performing teams, each member understands their responsibilities and how they contribute to broader objectives. Setting clear expectations cultivates a culture of accountability, which enhances both performance and team cohesion. But, I'm not convinced that this is the case in higher education. In fact, I was personally subjected to annual 360 evaluations at one point in my career. Did that enhance my performance or team cohesion? I'd argue that it did the opposite. My 360 evaluations often pointed out the extreme disconnect between academic leaders around campus and the larger university leadership. It demonstrated that we don't talk during the year and we both just dread this annual evaluation process.
The Importance of Team Understanding
So, you probably already see which side of this argument that I fall on. I believe that team understanding is about gaining insight into the dynamics, emotions, and motivations of your team members. While evaluation offers data, understanding builds relationships and relationships are everything. How many times in my career was I able to survive a difficult situation or find a little grace just because I focused on building relationships around campus?
Grasping the individual perspectives within your team is essential for building trust. When members feel understood, they are more likely to communicate openly and collaborate effectively. For example, teams that engage in regular, open discussions report a 25% increase in problem-solving efficacy. This is the key to me! Don't you get more productivity and cohesion with regular open communication rather than a formalized annual evaluation? I think so!
Creating channels for transparent communication promotes a healthy environment for idea-sharing and creativity. A team that understands its members is better equipped to navigate challenges as they arise. Fostering team understanding is vital for nurturing good morale. When team members feel recognized and valued, job satisfaction and engagement levels rise. A recent survey indicated that teams with high emotional understanding among members reported a 30% higher retention rate. I always said that my goal was to make our college a great place to learn and a great place to work. By creating a supportive atmosphere, we encouraged individuals to be open about challenges so that we could help. This ultimately led to a culture of collaboration instead of competition.
Team Evaluation vs. Team Understanding: Finding the Balance
The ongoing debate between evaluation and understanding does not need to be an either/or scenario. Instead, a harmonious blend of both often drives team success. It reminds me of the leadership grid proposed by Blake and Mouton in 1964. They suggested that leaders adjust their strategy between focusing on performance vs focusing on people. This is a similar argument.

Adopting an integrated approach allows leaders to create a comprehensive strategy that utilizes strengths from both evaluation and understanding. For example, regular performance evaluations can be enhanced by one-on-one check-ins. This combination encourages discussions around challenges, motivations, and aspirations. This kind of approach promotes a holistic view of team dynamics, balancing accountability with empathy. The result is a resilient and committed team ready to face any challenge. In optometric education, this is critical. We have challenges coming at us from many different directions - ACOE, NBEO, AOA, etc. So a dynamic team is important!
Investing in Team Building
Utilizing team-building activities can bridge the gap between evaluation and understanding. These interactions allow team members to learn about each other outside their professional roles, fostering personal connections that enhance cooperation. Whether through retreats, workshops, or informal gatherings, team-building exercises create an environment where evaluation metrics are complemented by deeper understanding, ultimately leading to greater cohesion.
We hosted dinners at our house, cocktail hours, retreats in the county and retreats in the city all to find the right team dynamic. And, honestly, it worked!
I will admit that both team evaluation and team understanding play critical roles in achieving success, but in my world of higher education - relationship building is key!
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