Is physical proximity key for a high performing team?

There’s a lot of things that make a strong team.

High on the list is effective collaboration and communication. After all, how can you build a cohesive and high performing team if they don’t work well together?

You can’t just throw a group of people together and expect them to get results or hit targets if they aren’t able to talk and collaborate with each other.

However as more and more organisations move to a remote or hybrid working model, it raises the question of whether physical proximity actually impacts team’s communication, collaboration, and consequently performance.

And that’s where the Allen curve comes in useful.

By applying the theory to your own team, you can gain deeper insight into how it influences team dynamics…. giving you the answer to whether remote work is hurting your team rather than helping.

First things first, what is the Allen Curve?

Before you can look at how the Allen Curve might be impacting your team, you need to understand what it means.

The theory was developed in the 1970s by MIT Professor Thomas J. Allen who was researching how communication patterns influence teamwork.

Allen looked at the communication and collaboration between engineers and discovered a strong negative correlation between the distance that engineers’ workstations were set apart and the frequency of communication between them. His research found that the workers almost never communicated with colleagues on separate floors or in separate buildings. In essence, he discovered that teams who share a workspace or are located in close proximity tend to communicate more often than those who are physically distant.

This dramatic decline in communication as the distance between desks increases is known as the Allen Curve.

It’s important to remember these findings were discovered in the 1970’s and the workplace has gone through a lot of change since then - including through a global pandemic that has permanently shifted the way many businesses work. However, Allen believes his theory still applies as he explains “"We do not keep separate sets of people, some of whom we communicate with by one medium and some by another. The more often we see someone face-to-face, the more likely it is that we will also telephone that person or communicate by another medium."

So, how exactly does the Allen Curve impact teams?

The Allen curve suggests that when team members are physically closer, they communicate more frequently and efficiently. This proximity leads to a more interactive exchange of ideas, faster decision-making, and more effective collaboration.

All of which you want for your team, right?

However, as the demand for remote - or at least hybrid - working continues to grow it raises the question of whether physical proximity is key for a high performing team.

While remote work offers flexibility, it might inadvertently create communication gaps. Watercooler chats, casual catch ups, and non-verbal cues are often lost in virtual interactions. As a result, remote teams might need to put in extra effort to collaborate with colleagues, foster open communication and build connections.

However this doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to fill these gaps. Luckily, with advancements in technology, virtual communication tools like Zoom or Slack have bridged physical gaps, allowing for easier communication and remote collaboration.

So, is physical proximity the ultimate key for high team performance? It's not that simple.

The Allen Curve demonstrates the undeniable advantages of close physical proximity. Nevertheless, times are changing and the workplace is constantly evolving and adapting to keep up.

Modern technology offers a way to bridge the physical gap, ensuring that remote teams can also communicate and thrive. Plus, it’s worth thinking about the different types of jobs your team carries out. There may be certain tasks that need to be done together in the same place to achieve the best results, but if someone has a diary full of zoom meetings for the day, why can’t they do this at home?

Times have moved past the idea that the purpose of the office is to ‘observe people working’. It's about finding the right balance between offering the flexibility that is now possible for so many (and wanted by so many) whilst still encouraging the communication and collaboration that comes more easily in a physical environment.

Although there doesn’t seem to be an obvious answer, one thing is clear: whether your team works side by side or is spread across the world, nurturing a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and collaboration remains key for creating a high performing team.

One last thing…

High performing teams aren’t the default and Braver Leaders Team Coaching focuses on providing you with the tools you need to be the cohesive unit you have the potential to be.

Book in a chat with me here to find out about the different workshops and coaching programmes available.