Heads, Hands & Hearts
A million dreams are realized only through teamwork.
In the San Fun Group organization, everybody is assigned one of three seemingly random emoticons: a brain, flexed biceps, and a heart. Of course, these symbols are not for their preferred diet, but to represent the working styles or inclination of each person.
The brain symbolizes members who value insight, strategic planning, and a well-thought concept. The muscles of the team are those who prioritize immediate action and getting the job done. Meanwhile, the heart-type members seek to create understanding and inspiration through compassion and connection. According to Chakchalat Sinrachatanant, "James", one of the team leaders of San Fun Group, a good team is a mixture of all three.
"I have set up and disbanded a few teams. I find that the best combination of a good team is people who are able to think, who are able to act, and are able to view the world from another perspective."
A balanced team is based on the dynamic between the three elements. A thinker needs to put their ideas into action. A doer should be able to see beyond their action plan. A dreamer has to work with regulations and limitations. The synergy in the team, where one element implements the others, is what James envisions with this Head-Hand-Heart system. It is, however, not the only thing he considers when selecting new team members or interns.
"I think more important than these three aspects is actually the values that the member possess."
Here, James mentioned other elements he looks for in a member: honesty, modesty, and diligence. In fact, these values are almost a prerequisite. It can take some time until the strength of each member becomes apparent, but the fundamental values are the crucial elements of learning and growth. They are the ground for collaboration to blossom.
If you think values and working styles are all that is considered when it comes to forming a strong team at San Fun, you are slightly incorrect. Another aspect that binds the team more strongly than morals or work ethics is very simple, yet very difficult to define: vibes. According to James, the San Fun team is like a group of friends. It is natural to relate to certain friends more than others, but on a big picture, the vibe is always cordial.
At the end, James reiterated that the Head-Hand-Heart approach is not to limit what team members can achieve, as the three elements are always present in everybody, albeit at varied proportions and occasions. A single person cannot play all the roles at the same time. Therefore, it is important to have other team members in other roles and to bounce off ideas.
"In this company, we work as a team," James added with a smile.
Writer: Khetsin Chuchan
