No. 1: Create a vision and a set of shared values

Establish a clear vision, as most people want to work on something bigger than themselves. Once you build a network of teams to rally around the vision, individual teams can then have better decision making framework and produce more results. 

Developing this key characteristic takes much more work than just rubbing the proverbial genie’s bottle, closing your eyes and making a wish. It takes focused planning — and it won’t happen overnight. It will take the same kind of thoughtful planning an architect might employ in designing blueprints that instruct how to build an amazing custom home.

No. 2: Hire for complementary skills

Think of the design team as a Venn diagram with overlapping circles. Design is in the middle, but there’s magic in the periphery: illustration, photography, iconography, typography, user science and beyond. For you nerds out there: The design team’s capabilities are the union of the overlapping circles, not the intersection.

It's important to define and clearly communicate each member’s value. Create an environment where each member feels that they’re included and that their opinions matter to you. It will breed shared trust, passion
and loyalty.

No. 3: Open effective communication and collaboration

Did you know that more than 70% of all communication either isn’t even heard or, not surprisingly, is misinterpreted? Poor communication generally occurs when folks don’t have a clear understanding of their roles and key accountabilities. 

People tend to bend the rules to their liking. So instead of being prescriptive, be open to feedback and adjustment. Work to build in a few ways to keep the team communicating, while also keeping them focused and productive.