Creating Intelligent Teams: A Deep Dive into Relationship Systems Intelligence

Creating Intelligent Teams by Anne Rød and Marita Fridjhon offers a refreshing perspective on team dynamics, shifting the focus from individuals to the intricate web of relationships within a team. The book introduces the concept of Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI), a framework that empowers teams to see themselves as part of a system working together towards collective goals.

Teams as Systems

A cornerstone of the book is the idea that teams are complex systems, not just collections of individuals. This systemic perspective emphasises the interconnectedness of team members and how their interactions influence the overall performance. Instead of focusing solely on individual strengths and weaknesses, the authors encourage leaders to consider the team as a whole, recognising the power of collective intelligence.

The Five Principles of RSI

The book outlines five core principles of RSI:

1. Unique Identity: Every team possesses a distinct personality or “soul.” Understanding this unique identity is crucial for effective team leadership.
2. Voice of the System: Each team member contributes to the team’s overall perspective. By valuing everyone’s input, teams can harness the collective wisdom of their members.
3. Inherent Intelligence: Teams are naturally intelligent and capable of self-organisation. Leaders should focus on creating an environment that supports this innate intelligence.
4. Interdependent Roles: Team members play interconnected roles that contribute to the team’s overall function. Understanding these roles and how they influence each other is essential for optimising team performance.
5. Constant Evolution: Teams are dynamic systems that are constantly changing and adapting. Leaders should embrace this fluidity and support the team’s growth and development.

Practical Implications

Creating Intelligent Teams offers practical guidance for leaders and team members alike. Some key takeaways include:

• Fostering a culture of psychological safety: Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks is essential for innovation and problem-solving.
• Encouraging open communication: Effective communication is the foundation of any high-performing team. The book emphasises the importance of active listening, empathy, and clear expression of thoughts and feelings.
• Developing shared leadership: Distributing leadership responsibilities among team members can empower individuals and strengthen the team as a whole.
• Building trust and collaboration: Creating a strong sense of trust and collaboration is essential for overcoming challenges and achieving shared goals.

By applying the principles outlined in Creating Intelligent Teams, leaders can cultivate high-performing teams that are adaptable, resilient, and capable of achieving extraordinary results.

This book was written after ORSC was created, but it has influenced updates to the curriculum. This is also the book where the 5 Principles of RSI were made concrete, and it enabled ORSC to move away from the formerly used “4 Cornerstones of ORSC” to these principles. Creating Intelligent Teams also articulated the ORSC 3-phase approach: meet, reveal, align & act. This is introduced in Fundamentals and used throughout the curriculum. This book really sets out the impact of an ORSC practitioner and introduces ORSC concepts and is a great book if you are interested in the ORSC courses. We highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ORSC Curious as a brilliant and comprehensive introduction to the course content. You can order yours from Amazon.