What makes a team complex?

That’s a question that came up recently in a conversation with my colleagues Sanjay Lamba and Martin Hayes as we were shaping a bid to support a client’s team development.

I casually used the phrase “complex teams”—and it sparked a much longer conversation than expected. What do we actually mean by that? What are the factors that add complexity to how teams work?

Here’s a list we came up with—not exhaustive, but definitely a good starting point:

• Multi-cultural
• Multi-location
• Multi-functional
• Intergenerational
• Dispersed or hybrid working
• Virtual collaboration
• Cross-organisational boundaries
• Interactions with wider systems
• Clarity (or lack of it) in stakeholder expectations

We’re sure others could add to this list—and some might look at it and ask, “Where do we even start?” At LMA Consulting, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. The context around each team is unique—and so is our approach. We begin with a short discovery phase: observing teams in action, asking questions, engaging with external stakeholders and senior leaders, and then playing back what we’ve learned.

From there, we co-create the way forward. And while the details differ, there are a few consistent areas we almost always return to:

• Clarifying the team’s purpose: What is it there to achieve? What do others need from it?
• Establishing ways of working: Building psychological safety, trust, and a clear team operating agreement
• Defining empowerment: What are team members actually able to do?
• Exploring individual styles and preferences—using tools tailored to each team’s needs and confidence levels
• Developing healthy conflict habits: Exploring emotional intelligence and strategies for productive challenge
• Encouraging curiosity: Challenging assumptions, adapting to shifting contexts, and staying agile

None of this is quick—but it’s worth it. We’ve seen again and again how this upfront investment increases a team’s capacity to succeed in complex environments.

If any of this resonates—or if you’d like to continue the conversation—feel free to get in touch.