Posted on by Ken Thompson

Unfairness perception destroys team collaboration

One of the deadliest invisible killers in teams is the perception of unfairness: that some are rewarded beyond which their contribution merits. “Fairness perception” is a massively important but poorly understood team concept, which even extends beyond human teams into the animal kingdom. Here is how to successfully manage it.



In Monkeys Show Sense Of Fairness, National Geographical News reports on research that “fairness perception” extends into nature with capuchin monkeys refusing to co-operate with researchers when they see fellow monkeys getting greater rewards for the same task.
In Good collaboration: the critical unspoken question I describe in practical terms how to successfully manage “fairness perception” in human teams.

 

3 Replies to “Unfairness perception destroys team collaboration”

  3. Refreshing to read your post after hearing so much cliches like “real life isn’t fair”, “Don’t expect the world to be fair” thrown at people who voice their problems at work.
    If even monkeys can demand that they be treated fairly, why can’t we human beings not demand it from our bosses?
    Yup, the world out there may not be fair but if you want your team in here to deliver results then ensuring fairness in the work and reward process has to be part of your job as manager or team leader.
    If you want your team to deliver results, you have to operate under some rules or values of trust, interdependence and other values that make teams work.
    Other values such as empathy, genuineness, risk, and success are discussed in Dianne Crampton’s book, “TIGERS Among Us-Winning Business Team Cultures And Why They Thrive.” It also features examples of how companies were able to build successful, ethical, and quality-focused work teams based on these values.
    Just curious… in the animal kingdom what is your best example of how a new and young leader was able to build ‘the trust’ of his group?

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