The House of Innovation organized an exclusive breakfast seminar with Professor Linus Dahlander from ESMT Berlin. This event drew upon Professor Dahlander’s extensive research on the effects of autonomy on team performance.

In his research, Professor Dahlander conducted a field experiment to understand how different levels of autonomy affect team success. The findings revealed a nuanced landscape: while complete autonomy in team and idea selection showed slight improvements over no autonomy, it was the partial autonomy – allowing teams to choose either their project or their teammates, but not both – that significantly enhanced performance and investment appeal.

During our session, Professor Dahlander explored these dynamics, emphasizing the optimal balance between guidance and freedom in professional settings. The seminar addressed how nuanced autonomy, rather than its absolute presence or absence, could lead to better outcomes in innovation, team cohesion, and overall success.

This event was an opportunity for business leaders, HR professionals, and anyone interested in enhancing team dynamics and creativity within their organizations. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how to apply these insights to foster an environment where autonomy and accountability drive growth and satisfaction.