
WORK PSYCHOLOGY LEARNING NETWORK
Understanding
Teams and Team
Effectiveness
In-Person | Thursday 14 May 2026
London, UK
9.00 – 14.00 BST
Event
Teams in the workplace play a crucial role in driving performance, yet team-working itself often fails to deliver. One common issue is a lack of clarity around what a team truly is – and isn’t. We also tend to overlook the variety of team types and their distinct purposes across different work settings.
This event will explore what work psychology tells us about team effectiveness. Why are some teams more effective than others? And what can we do to optimise team effectiveness?
Attendees will:
- Understand what a team really is and what a team isn’t – and how they are different from work groups.
- Appreciate the different types of teams in a workplace and the role they play.
- Identify theoretical approaches to understanding how teams function effectively.
- Explore the evidence about what makes effective teams – from leadership to composition and training.
- Share their experiences and learn from others, discussing how the theories and evidence can be applied to designing and managing work teams in their own contexts.
Session Dates/Details
Session 1: 10 February, Predicting Performance at Work
Session 2: 14 May, Understanding Teams and Team Effectiveness
Session 3: 22 September, Feedback and Work Performance
Who is this event for?
We expect to convene senior HR professionals with:
- Knowledge of applying principles of organisational psychology in the workplace so experiences can be shared for peer learning.
- A desire to enhance their understanding of organisational psychology and how it can improve employee performance and productivity.
- An interest in understanding and applying the latest academic research relating to organisational psychology.
- Significant experience working in generalist roles or CoE’s including OD and transformation, talent, employee experience and/or organisation effectiveness.
To register for this event please ensure you are logged in. If you are not a member and interested in attending, please contact us below.
If you would like to amend or cancel your booking please contact events@crforum.co.uk.
This event is a part of CRFs Work Psychology Network
Location
London
Speakers

Prof. Rob Briner
Professor of Organisational Psychology at the School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
Rob is Professor of Organizational Psychology at Queen Mary, University of London and Associate Research Director at CRF. He is also currently a Visiting Professor of Evidence-Based HRM at Birkbeck University of London and Professor at Oslo Nye Høyskole. He was previously co-founder and Scientific Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management and has held positions at the Institute for Employment Studies, London School of Economics, Kings’s College (University of London), Bath University and University of Edinburgh. His publishing and research focus on topics including wellbeing, emotions, stress, motivation and everyday work behaviour.

John Whelan MBE
Director, CRF
John Whelan is a Director at Corporate Research Forum. Formerly UK HR Director of BAE Systems, the FTSE 100 defence, security, and aerospace company, John’s experience and strengths lie in business and HR Transformation, Organisation Development and Employee Relations. Prior to joining BAE, he held a variety of HR roles in engineering, technology and manufacturing businesses across the telecommunications and semi-conductor industries including Matra-Marconi Space where he was HR Director for the UK and, latterly, Group HRD.