A team of two of the right people on the right thing can move faster and be more effective than 10 of the wrong people focused on the wrong thing.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with someone on a project recently – even in challenging times it’s been enjoyable! It doesn’t always happen this way.

Within a hour of being tasked with an objective, we had a strategy, plan, questions for leadership to focus our efforts, and risks to flag for consideration. We made awesome progress by late afternoon.

I believe there was a conscious decision to put us together and assign us to the particular task we were given.

Here’s what to consider when forming a team with an accelerated timeline in challenging circumstances:

• Match interest, energy, and commitment, that will maintain momentum on those long days and when things get hard (like when the direction changes 3X in one day!)

Identify a mix of capabilities – a visionary, strategist, planner, subject matter expert, and hands-on “do- ers” — experience wearing multiple hats is imperative for speed

• Select individuals who are self aware and respect others’ strengths

• Consider their approach to change and innovation – they will not have time to get stuck on ideology (but they will have a healthy debate, land on an approach, and move forward)

• Don’t minimize the importance of considering the level of trust and faith they have in one another

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