I took my wife on a date night to watch a Pasifika metal band called Shepherds Reign. Although this genre is not my thing, seeing my wife happy, jumping like a shrimp, and headbanging as the band played was enough for me to enjoy the experience.

As I watched the band play, seeing them work together, the number of hours they spent practising, the coordination, and the entire band members coming together to transform individual notes played on each instrument into an artistic masterpiece reminded me of high-performing teams in a fast-paced world of engineering and platform development. And yes, I whipped out my phone and started making notes in the middle of the set!

Like the band leader, my role was to ensure that all these elements came together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Drawing on wisdom from must-reads like The Pragmatic Programmer and Team Topologies and mashing it up with my own experiences, I’ll delve into what worked for me as I orchestrated a team that doesn’t just perform but excels.

Orchestrating Change, From Small-Scale to Scalable Engineering Teams

Transitioning from a small, tight-knit engineering team to a larger, scalable one is no small feat. In my experience, intentional orchestration contributes to success—like transitioning from an individual instrument player to a full rock band. The shift requires not only technical adjustments but also a cultural transformation. Things I have done over the years include:

  • Embrace Modern Practices: Utilise engineering techniques like pair programming, mob programming, and Test-Driven Development (TDD) to promote collaboration and collective ownership within the team.
  • Maintain Cohesion and Effectiveness: As the team grows, these methodologies help ensure that cohesion and effectiveness are sustained, preventing fragmentation and loss of productivity.
  • Guide with Clear Tools: Implement tools like lift-offs or team charters as foundational guides (akin to sheet music) that align the team’s goals, roles, and values.
  • Foster Harmonisation: By setting a solid foundation, create an environment where new and seasoned team members – the old guard and the latest – can harmonise their efforts towards common objectives.

Each element is important because it addresses the challenges that naturally arise when a team scales. By focusing on intentional orchestration, modern practices, and cultural transformation, you’re not just growing a team – you’re building a scalable, cohesive, and effective powerhouse that can handle increased complexity and deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Evolving Culture, Blending Tradition with Modern Engineering Practices

Integrating new team members into an established engineering culture often brings with it the challenge of blending traditional approaches with innovative practices. I have seen the power of cultural evolution firsthand. Emphasising craftsmanship in coding and encouraging mastery in our work has helped bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. Practices like whiteboarding sessions and cross-collaboration workshops serve as the rehearsal space, allowing teams to experiment, innovate, and refine their approaches. This cultural evolution doesn’t just improve technical output, but it also fosters a sense of belonging and pride in the team’s work, ensuring that every member feels they are part of something significant.

Some of the approaches I took include:

  • Emphasise Craftsmanship: To bridge the gap between traditional and modern practices, focus on high standards of coding and mastery in technical work.
  • Conduct Whiteboarding Sessions: Use whiteboarding as a collaborative tool to allow team members to visually map out ideas, plan solutions, and engage in problem-solving together.
  • Facilitate Cross-Collaboration Workshops: Organise workshops that bring together team members from different areas to collaborate, share insights, and refine their approaches collectively.
  • Encourage Experimentation and Innovation: Provide a “rehearsal space” where teams can freely experiment with new ideas and methods, fostering innovation within the safety of collaborative environments.
  • Foster a Sense of Belonging and Pride: Create a culture where every team member feels valued and part of something significant, promoting ownership and pride in the team’s work.

Team Building, The Band Leader’s Role in Fostering Collaboration and Creativity

A high-performing team is not just built on technical skills and methodologies; it thrives on the relationships and camaraderie between its members. As a leader, orchestrating team-building exercises is your way of ensuring that the band doesn’t just play the notes but makes music.

From casual board games at lunch to Friday team gaming sessions online, hackathons, and even escape rooms – these activities are more than just fun breaks. They are vital components of team bonding that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in a relaxed environment. These moments of informal interaction help break down barriers, allowing team members to connect on a personal level, which, in turn, strengthens their professional collaboration.

 My go-to activities for team building include the following:

  • Casual Board Games at Lunch: Incorporate informal activities like board games during lunch breaks to foster casual interactions and build rapport among team members.
  • Friday Team Gaming Sessions: Organise regular online gaming sessions on Fridays to encourage team bonding and provide a fun, relaxed environment for interaction.
  • Hackathons: Host hackathons to promote creativity and problem-solving in a collaborative, pressure-free setting, allowing team members to experiment and innovate.
  • Escape Rooms: Escape rooms can be used as a team-building exercise that challenges team members to work together under time constraints, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively.
  • Encourage Informal Interaction: Focus on creating opportunities for team members to connect on a personal level, strengthening their professional collaboration and overall team cohesion.

Building and leading a high-performing engineering team is a complex, ongoing process requiring careful orchestration. By focusing on key areas – scaling and transforming your team, evolving your culture with modern practices, and fostering collaboration through team-building activities – you can create a harmonious environment where innovation thrives. Remember, much like a rock band, every element of your team must work together in concert, guided by a shared vision and a commitment to excellence.