TIMELESS INSIGHTS—AND WHY THEY’RE AS RELEVANT AS EVER

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—Alex and Axel

February  2025

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Unleashing the power of small, independent teams

As companies continue to find the right balance of hybrid, remote, and in-office working policies, leaders are grappling with how to create the best conditions for their employees to thrive. They would do well to redouble their efforts in one critical area: supporting small, independent teams.

Small teams are the lifeblood of a successful, agile corporation. Any company facing pressure from fast-moving digital natives or digitally transformed incumbents can no longer afford to shift their strategies every few years. They need to move quickly, and small, independent teams can help companies make the right moves to stay ahead of the competition. But small teams—and their managers—need the right conditions to flourish.

Companies can start by empowering teams with the authority and resources they need to make key decisions independently and by providing teams with a clear and unobstructed view of their target customers. Just as important is training midlevel managers on how to let their teams work in a truly agile manner. This may require embracing new ways of interacting with team members, including acting as stewards rather than superiors, and allowing teams to chart their own course.

Life moves pretty fast—companies need to as well. To learn more about staying agile to stay ahead, read our 2018 McKinsey Quarterly classic “Unleashing the power of small, independent teams.”

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—Edited by Drew Holzfeind, editor, Chicago 

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