Self-managing teams
Tap into the WE of teams
My book What if your colleague was a golden shovel? A guide to community, focus and trustful teams is written to challenge the way most companies work with and create results through and with people. In my perspective we are not critical enough towards what most companies do with little effect. Here I talk about the use of personality tests, use of reorganizations and company values. All 3 topics are explained in detail in my book (buy here) that for now is only available in Danish. In the book and on this website, I present alternatives that have a very high probability of creating good results. Including the use of systems theory, which is also an important element in successful self-managing groups and distributed leadership.

Especially the system theory is powerful to tap into the WE of teams and organizations.
See the table below for the difference between emotional-, social- and relationship systems intelligence. The three terms build on each other and nicely add different perspectives and tools to improve behavior.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) | Social Intelligence (SI) | Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI) |
Self-awareness | Other awareness | Systems awareness |
Me | You plus me | We (collective) |
Understand personal emotions/experience | Empathize with others emotions/experience | Hold experiences and emotions as an expression of the team |
Self-motivated | Motivates others | Motivation held collectively |
Self-focus | Other focus | System focus |
For a leader to be effective, all three levels of intelligence are required as each build upon the next.
RSI (relationship systems intelligence) is the capacity to read, understand and intentionally interact with the dynamics of human relationship systems. It is the ability to maximize one´s relationship with the given human relationship systems and relate to it as a whole.
By relating to the team as a relationship system rather than a group of individuals, we transform the dynamics within and create a positive difference in the team´s effectiveness and performance.
(Source: Creating Intelligent Teams, Anne Rød & Marita Fridjhon)
Besides (of course) reading my book (buy here) I suggest the following two books if you want more knowledge of Relationship Systems Intelligence:
- Systems Inspired Leadership – Frank uit de Weerd and Marita Fridjhon (buy here)
- Creating Intelligent Teams – Anne Rød and Marita Fridjhon (buy here)
The five core principles in Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI)
In my book you will find the five core principles in Relationship Systems Intelligence and you can see a summery of them below. Working with self-managing teams these principles are the foundation from a behavioral perspective. A well-functioning self-managing team is centered around a common purpose and believe and live these principles.
- The system of relationships depends on roles to function in the organization and perform functions.
- Each system of relationships has its own unique identity or ‘personality.’
- The system of relationships is constantly in a state of emergence.
- The system of relationships is naturally intelligent, generative, and creative.
- Each member of the system of relationships (team or partnership) is a voice in the system.
If you want to know more about how to apply these theories in everyday life, take a look at my signature program: Team Mastery or simply get in touch through the form below. I work with teams globally as well.