10: Duhigg and the research findings from Google's Project Aristotle

What was one of Rozovsky's favorite competitions? What did she learn during this process? What did they make?

Coming up with a new business to replace a student-run snack store on Yale's campus. Developed psychological safety amongst her case competition teammates. Their group proposed a microgym and won the competition.

Why are software engineers in Silicon Valley encouraged to work together?

Because studies show that groups tend to innovate faster, see mistakes more quickly and find better solutions to problems. Also, studies show that people working in teams tend to achieve better results and report higher job satisfaction.

How did Rozovsky feel about her study group?

Her study group was a source of stress. She always felt like she had to prove herself. There were conflicts over who was in charge and who to represent the group in class. Lack of psychological safety.

What is the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test?

It is an easy way to gauge social sensitivity be showing someone photos of people's eyes and asking him/her to describe what the people are thinking or feeling.

What did Project Aristotle teach people within Google?

It is that no one wants to put on a "work face" when they get to the office. People want to be fully present at work and must know that they are free to share the things that scare them without fear of recriminations. Psychological safety is key.

What are two examples of things that Google's People Operations deparment observed?

1) How frequently people eat together (the most productive employees tend to build larger networks by rotating dining companions) 2) Which traits the best managers share (good communication and avoiding micromanaging is critical)

What two behaviors did the researches observe among the good teams?

1) Members spoke in roughly the same proportion, a phenomenon referred to as "equality in distribution of conversational turn-taking) 2) High "average social sensitivity," aka they were skilled at intuiting how others felt based on their tone of voice, their expressions and other nonverbal cues.

What are the five keys to effective teams?

1) Psychological safety: team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable in front of each other. 2) Dependability: team members get things done on time and meet Google's high bar for excellence 3) Structure and Clarity: Team members have clear roles, plans and goals 4) Meaning: Work is personally important to team members 5) Impact: Team members think their work matters and creates change.

What is psychological safety?

A sense of confidence that the team will not embarrass, reject or punish someone for speaking up. Describes a team climate characterized by interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people are comfortable being themselves.