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2025 State of the Team Report

👉 TL;DR

Have you ever spent hours creating a plan, presented it to your team, and then never used it again? Or have you encouraged your team to adopt an agile “test and learn” approach to an upcoming effort, only for them to then create a detailed plan for implementation? Guess what: Your ideas were great — but the audience was all wrong.

Just as teams form norms around how they communicate, process information, and make decisions, they also establish patterns for how they work towards their objectives. On the one hand are Deliberate teams: plans are thoroughly created, closely followed, and referenced and updated frequently. And on the other side of the spectrum are Spontaneous teams: preferring to be responsive to new information and circumstances, these teams thrive with lightweight plans and frequent changes in direction.

Succeeding requires recognizing, and knowing how to work with, both. Here’s how.

Deliberate teams anticipate, plan, and prepare

A Deliberate team is like a well-rehearsed orchestra. Every note is planned and prepared in advance. Picture a team at NASA working on an upcoming rocket launch. They have detailed timelines, specific tasks, and concrete goals set for months to come. These plans are tightly linked to the mission’s broader objectives, and have been synchronized with other team’s development roadmaps. Every team member knows their part and the bigger picture.

This style minimizes surprises, keeps everyone on the same page, and provides a clear roadmap towards the goals. Plus, it allows for thoughtful resource management and risk mitigation.

👉 Thriving on a Deliberate team: Make sure you have a way to measure progress (and if you have metrics, make sure they’re measuring what really matters). Learn to anticipate potential obstacles and plan accordingly. Even with detailed plans, unexpected things happen; make sure your team has a process to deal with things going off-track. And remember, it’s critical that you actually maintain and revise the plan as your project unfolds.

Spontaneous teams act, learn, and adjust

Spontaneous teams approach a project like an improv show: They adapt quickly, reacting to changes and making on-the-spot decisions. Consider a public relations team managing a company's image during a crisis. They don't have a script, and they can’t anticipate tomorrow’s headline. But they act quickly, adjusting their strategy based on the latest developments.

This style is highly adaptable and responsive. It thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where conditions can change overnight.

👉 Succeeding on a Spontaneous team: Without detailed plans, it’s critical that you have clear goals — and a shared understanding of what they are across the team. Spontaneous teams also need to communicate quickly and effectively, typically more often than Deliberate teams. When you’re designing the plane as you’re flying it, there’s a lot more to discuss!

Apply the right approach for the right problem

Teams have natural preferences for either Spontaneous or Deliberate working styles, but that doesn’t mean their default approach is the right one for every situation. A big part of being a high-performing team is knowing when it’s time to get outside your comfort zone and try a different way of executing towards your goals.

If you’re a Deliberate team faced with a fast-moving set of underlying facts or circumstances, limit the amount of time you’re investing in planning and “what-if” scenarios. Try building a ‘plan’ that consists of high-level outcomes, as opposed to specific actions or tasks, to give team members clarity without having to anticipate every detail. And celebrate the contributions of the teammates who are taking action.

If you’re on a Spontaneous team assigned with a large project with complicated external dependencies, you’re going to need to slow down, think ahead, and commit your plans to paper so that you can stay coordinated with your counterparts outside the team. And if the risks of a misstep or change in directions are high — costly investments, for example — the phrase “Measure twice, cut once” comes to mind. When things inevitably change, resist the urge to ‘wing it,’ and do the work to revise the plan so everyone can stay in sync

👉 Great execution requires a flexible approach: Ultimately, the most successful teams don’t apply just one way of working. They feel most comfortable in either a Spontaneous or Deliberate mode, but they also know when it’s time to try a different tact — and they have the tools to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

??What are the characteristics of a Deliberate team in the workplace???

Deliberate teams are like well-rehearsed orchestras, with every detail planned and prepared in advance, much like a team at NASA planning a rocket launch. They operate under tight schedules, specific tasks, and clear objectives that are frequently referenced and updated to maintain alignment with broader goals.

??How do Deliberate teams manage to succeed effectively???

Deliberate teams minimize surprises through extensive planning, which keeps everyone on the same page and offers a clear path toward achieving their goals. They also focus on thoughtful resource management and risk mitigation, ensuring that they can handle unexpected events without deviating from their objectives.

??What key practices should be followed to thrive on a Deliberate team???

Members of a Deliberate team should focus on having measurable progress indicators, anticipate potential obstacles, and have a contingency plan for deviations. Regular maintenance and revision of plans as projects unfold are critical for staying on track.

??What defines a Spontaneous team in a workplace setting???

Spontaneous teams resemble improv shows, where adaptability and quick reactions to new information are paramount. They act swiftly in response to changes, making decisions on the spot without a predetermined script, which is ideal for dynamic and unpredictable environments.

??What strategies help Spontaneous teams succeed???

To succeed, Spontaneous teams need clear, shared goals and effective, frequent communication. Since their environment is less structured, these teams must excel in adjusting strategies quickly and discussing significant changes as they occur.

??How can teams decide when to adopt a Spontaneous or Deliberate approach???

Teams should assess the nature of their tasks and the environment they are operating in. Deliberate approaches are best for projects with clear, unchanging parameters, while Spontaneous approaches are suited for dynamic conditions with frequent changes. Understanding when to step out of their comfort zones and switch approaches is key to a team's success.

??What is the importance of flexibility in team management and execution???

Flexibility in team management is crucial because it allows teams to adapt their working style to the most appropriate method for the situation at hand. The most successful teams blend both Spontaneous and Deliberate approaches, applying each where it will be most effective, and adapting their tactics as necessary to achieve their goals.

??When should a Deliberate team consider adopting a more Spontaneous approach???

A Deliberate team should consider a more Spontaneous approach when faced with rapidly changing circumstances that make detailed planning impractical. In these scenarios, focusing on high-level outcomes rather than specific actions can provide necessary guidance while allowing flexibility.

??What should a Spontaneous team do when dealing with complex projects with high risks???

In complex, high-risk situations, a Spontaneous team should slow down and implement more detailed planning to ensure all team members are coordinated. Embracing a "Measure twice, cut once" philosophy and being prepared to revise plans as needed can help manage the risks effectively.